I arrived at UNC in the fall of 1967 at the height of the Vietnam War. My father, a former drafted combat infantryman in WWII, advised me to join the Navy and be an officer. I was accepted into NROTC and began my Navy training. At the beginning of my junior year in September 1969, I officially signed on for three years service. I recall watching the draft with friends and being the only one hoping to be number one. As luck would have it, I drew number 227, at the time a borderline number, but which ultimately was not called. I have never regretted my service in the Navy and my duty on board my destroyer escort. Those years provided me with great experiences and learned lessons.
