Readers Remember

Shortly before the end of World War II, my father was drafted. He was 30, married and father of three kids. But as the battles raged, everyone wanted to go and he was no different; patriotism pushed all else aside.

Suddenly, as if in answer to his prayers, the draft notice arrived.

Not until I was sitting at his bedside a few weeks later while he was recuperating from surgery did I learn what had happened next. It was the only time I saw him cry. He wiped away tears as he told me how he had gone for his physical and had been turned down due to varicose veins. His surgery was to correct that condition, in case they called him again (which, of course, they never did).

JOAN PEOPLES

From the Internet

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On Sept. 30, 1935, I was just short of 5 years old. But I was old enough to understand how lucky I was to have survived diphtheria and old enough to be quite aware that on the platform dedicating Boulder Dam was President Franklin Roosevelt. I knew his importance because my father drove the family in our nearly worn-out Studebaker all the miles from Prescott, Ariz., over glorified wagon trails to be at the great occasion.

JACK HEFLEY

Murrieta

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What do you recall most about the 20th century? In 200 words or less, send us your memories, comments or eyewitness accounts. We will publish as many as we can on this page until the end of the year. Write to Century, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or e-mail century@latimes.com. We regret we cannot acknowledge individual submissions. Letters may be edited for space.