So in the assembly room Nelson and I paired up

So in the assembly room Nelson and I paired up. Nelson was carrying a packet of folders about an inch thick. When I inquired about it he explained that it was his medical record from the surgical treatment of thoracic cancer when he was a juvenile. His GP maintained that this should get him a medical referral.

We started through the sausage machine of the pre draft physical and pretty much hung together all the way. Without his shirt, Nelson’s cancer surgery scar was very apparent wrapping from front to back just below his rib cage…I forget which side. At every encounter with an MD during this process Nelson pointed out his scar, proffered his medical record and sought grace - to no avail.

There was some ongoing indicator of pass/fail though I cannot remember what it was. If a candidate reached the end of the sausage machine with the pass/fail in the Pass mode there was a final review with one of four or five military medical professionals to finalize the suitability for being drafted. Nelson and I reached this final station, both in Pass mode. I went through this quickly and was certified to be drafted. I waited outside the room for Nelson.