The Lottery

Greater love has no man than this; to lay down one’s life for his friends.            John 15:13

Lottery fever has been sweeping the country with almost a billion dollar jack pot awaiting a winner who ends up with the lucky numbers on a ticket.  It’s thrilling for many, and people waited anxiously to see if they were the lucky winners.

On Dec. 1, 1969, there was another kind of lottery.  The difference here was the players had no choice in the numbers they had been given, and the end result was not money, but rather service to their  country.  This lottery was sponsored by the Selective Service of the United States of America, and its purpose was to draft young men for service in the war in Vietnam.

I remember vividly being in the lobby of my dorm at UGA while anxious young college boys sat glued to the television set awaiting the result of the lottery.  The 366 numbers randomly picked by officials corresponded to the birthdays of the guys, and it would be the order in which they were drafted.  September 14 was the first date pulled, and the lottery continued until the last date of September 24 was called.

There were many emotions that night as many of our close friends had low numbers and knew that they would be reporting for duty soon.  Others breathed sighs of relief as their numbers were high. The war or conflict as it is sometimes called, was laden with differences of opinion, political unrest, confusion, and lack of support for  these soldiers in all branches of service.

We lost several friends during this conflict, and many of those who returned home although physically alive and well had many mental and emotional scars that have remained with them long after their return.  Some were prisoners of war, some were privy to terrible battles, many endured the death of their friends, effects of agent orange, and unfathomable grief and sacrifice.

Still they served, fought and died for this country.  Many came home to a country who shunned them rather than welcomed them with honor.  To these soldiers and all the veterans of this country, we owe a great debt of gratitude for doing the job they pledged to do and ensuring the freedoms that we enjoy.

These are lottery winners whose sacrifice can never be repaid.  As we approach Veteran’s Day, it is incumbent upon all Americans to remember that sacrifice.  A grateful nation should give our thanks, appreciation and respect to all veterans of all wars which defended the United States of America.