When I look back on that, I see that I got out of serving on a technicality—that mydad was essentially helping me dodge the draft—which now gives me mixed feelings. I feelguilty I didn’t do my part, relieved I didn’t experience the harmful consequences so many otherssuffered from the war, and appreciative of my dad for the love behind his effort to protect me. Ihave no idea what I’d do if I were faced with the same situation today.

这个draft不知道是什么意思，百度翻译上说是选秀？哈哈哈哈哈

不过这句话确实写出Ray's dad 对他深沉的爱。

I noticed gold was starting to tick up in world markets。

tick up是上升？

Assuring us that the dollar was sound and that gold was just an archaic metal.

sound健康的