Jan's Story | Samantha Leming

It was the sixties; a time when the fifties' old world values were finally being thrown into the creek and the new idea of peace and love, and war were just beginning with a flower in every soldier's rifle.

Gabe, however, was a college student in the sixties. He was intelligent, fairly wealthy, and he maintained the required GPA to maintain his student deferment. The end was near in sight for Gabe, and he was nearly salivating at the sweet release from his tedious classes, and the promise of the kind of money his economics major would make him in his new internship.
As the time gained upon him to graduate, the chatter began among the seniors, and Gabe realized fro the first time what graduating really meant. Graduation meant that Gabe was now eligible for the Vietnam Draft, and no deferment could prevent it now.

It was only a matter of weeks after his graduation that the draft board contacted him. The letter came as a shock to him, even thought it was expected. He tried to file for an occupational deferment, but his request was denied, and Gabe was scheduled to arrive at the fort the next day.