For background about Vietnam Veterans Against the War at Mankato State College, read the following sections in Out of Chaos:
1. John Anderson (pp. 44-48)
2. Dean Doyscher (pp. 70-72)
3. Carl M. Egan (pp. 72-75)
4. Curt Fisher (pp. 77-78)
Veterans and the Protest Movement
A. Dean Doyscher was drafted into the army in September 1966 and served two years in Vietnam. In his entry, Doyscher writes that he thought his "credibility was a real asset to the effort."
How did Vietnam veterans bring credibility to the war protest movement?
How did veterans of other wars respond to the views expressed by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War?
Disrupt the Status Quo
B. On page 71, Dean Doyscher writes about the desire of "long-haired hippies" to "disrupt the status quo of society."
Describe Doyscher's daily method of disrupting the status quo on the Mankato State campus.
Were Doyscher's tactics successful? Why or why not?
How do you think students and faculty would respond to Doyscher's consciousness-raising tactics today?
Veterans Seek a Sense of Belonging
C. On page 45, John Anderson describes feeling out of place at Mankato State due to his status as a veteran. Carl M. Egan also describes the need for veterans to organize a community on page 73.
Why do the veterans on campus feel disconnected from other students during this time?
What two organizations for veterans do Anderson and Egan describe in their chapters?
How do you think each of these organizations helped veterans find a sense of belonging on campus?
Find Your Sense of Belonging
D. There are several Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) currently available to veterans. There are many additional RSOs available for students across campus.
