My last day is today, Friday, November 22, 1969, I told myself, putting my blue gown on with my matching mortar board hat. It was a sunny day, and the sun was shimmering through my curtains. I went downstairs to find my whole family crammed in the living room.

       “ Congratulations, ” my family shouted. 

       “Hi,” I said to everyone and continued on.

       “ We leave in ten,” Dad said.

        As I walked past the family room I saw my grandparents, aunt, and uncle huddling around the TV watching the news, and I heard, “ There will be the first round of Vietnam war drafts tonight.” I decided to ignore it since it was a special day. When it came time I put my front foot out of the door, knowing I would be done after today.

       I watched as my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and siblings all got in their cars. We all drove to New York University. Today there was extra traffic with a mile of cars lined up waiting to go to the graduation ceremony. We arrived ten minutes later than we thought.  I rushed inside, running briskly to get backstage.

       “Good morning, and welcome to the Graduation ceremony,” the announcer said. I arrived punctually. 

       As the principal droned on about how “hardworking” the students are, the line of students grew shorter and shorter until I was up.

       I was called up; I felt like my head was as red as a tomato. I felt a thousand people stare  from the auditorium seats, watching. I walked up slowly and vigilantly, making sure not to trip.  I went to the principal, took the diploma, bowed arrogantly as I had practiced a lot the day before, and then walked off the stage. 

       When the principal was done handing out diplomas the ceremony had ended. I went swiftly to see my family. I could tell they were all happy for me.

       “Where do you wanna celebrate?” my Dad asked.

       “At our house!” 

       We all headed to my house, but we were bombarded by all the cars trying to leave the parking lot. Eventually, we got out of the parking lot and headed home. When we got to the house we got out of the car and went inside.

       When I got home I ran upstairs, changed, and made my way downstairs. As I walked down the stairs I could see my family talking in the living room.  I hadn’t gotten to spend much time with them because I’d been busy with school, so it made me feel happy and put a smile on my face for them to be there. 

       Once I got downstairs I spotted my dad cooking in the kitchen, preparing dinner. He came out and started to set up the table, and I insisted on helping, but he wouldn’t let me. 

       “Dinner!” he called out, and everyone got seated at the table. I ate quickly and went to bed early since I was barely awake. 

       Before I went upstairs I called out to my family, “Goodbye, see you soon!”  I then headed upstairs to my room and went to sleep.

       Once I woke up in the morning, I was fidgeting with my hands, eager to watch the news from earlier in the week. I got the TV remote, sat on the couch, and quickly turned it on to Thursday’s broadcast.

        “Today we are covering what is going on in Vietnam. Japanese troops were stationed in Vietnam until recently, and when they left North Vietnam, it became vulnerable, so the French Colonial Government took over the North and is now trying to take over the South. They are making every effort to take control of all of Vietnam and convert Vietnam into a Communist country. Southern Vietnam is trying its hardest to defend its territory and retake the North. The U.S.A. has been supplying South Vietnam with equipment, but it is not quite enough for them, so soon we will be stationing troops to help solidify South Vietnam.”

       I quickly switched to Friday’s broadcast. “ There will be a draft chosen tonight by giving young men numbers corresponding to their birthdays. Men with lower numbers will be getting chosen first and will have to report to induction centers. They will get a letter in the mail soon,” the news person said. 

       I was confused about how so much has gone on in the last couple of days and how I was so unaware. No wonder why my family was huddled together like penguins watching the news. 

       A week had passed, and I started looking for a job. Then Dad shouted vehemently, “You got a letter in the mail!” 

       “Okay!” I yelled back as I rushed downstairs, knowing what it would say.

       When I got to my dad, I snatched the letter from his hand, tore it open, and read it out loud. 

       “Dear John Greenman, you have been drafted for service in the Vietnam War. You will have to report to the induction center to be put in your position on December 1st at 231 Florence St.”

       “That's tomorrow, what do I do?!” I exclaimed. 

       “Go to the Induction Center and see where it goes from there,” my dad said.

       My stomach was in a knot as I regretted how much focus I put on school for the last semester instead of at home with my family. I called my whole family, told them the news, and said my goodbyes, as I knew I might not return.

-Benjamin M.