The theme of Gustavus Adolphus College’s 35th annual MAYDAY! is “The War Within: Can the Soldier Be at Peace?”
According to Associate Professor in Political Science, Environmental Studies, Japanese Studies, and Peace Studies Richard Leitch, the theme of this year’s conference was chosen because of the importance of understanding the obstacles that soldiers confront. This means asking questions about how we as a community can help make soldier’s transitions to veterans more successful.
“With increased awareness of issues confronting soldiers who have served in the military, it seemed like a good time to investigate this topic.”—Richard Leitch
“The last time MAYDAY! had a military-focused theme was in 2000, recognizing the 25th anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal from Vietnam. With increased awareness of issues confronting soldiers who have served in the military, it seemed like a good time to investigate this topic,” Leitch said.
The theme was important to those involved because of the lack of support veterans recieved when returning home.
“Due to some of these reasons, we are seeing high suicide rates, increasing unemployment and homelessness among veterans,” Sophomore Art History and Art Studio Major Nathaniel Kraft said.
Those involved in the organization of MAYDAY! see the Gustavus community as a perfect audience for this topic.
“We are seeing high suicide rates and increasing unemployment and homelessness among veterans.”—Nathaniel Kraft
“There are veterans in the St. Peter community and around the country who are most likely struggling to get by day to day. Some of them may even be your neighbors and family members at home. There are also a few students on campus here at Gustavus who are military veterans,” Kraft said.
Detachment Commander at the Andrew Radar U.S. Army Health Clinic, Major Mathew Scherer, will present the morning keynote address, “Identity, Loss and Reintegration in the Decade of Heroes,” at 10:00 a.m in Christ Chapel.
The afternoon session opens with a keynote presentation by the creator of the Veteran Vision Project and photographer, Devin Mitchell.
The keynote speaker, presentation and panel focus on the challenges that veterans face when reintegrating into society after returning from service.
Some of the issues that will be covered include: veteran reintegration, psychological and spiritual issues, and the role of military families.
The full-day conference is open to the public at no charge. The event serves to educate the Gustavus community and others about issues related to peace, human rights and social justice.
“The conference planning committee intentionally used the world “can” instead of “how,” as the theme is meant to serve as a research question, and thus the conference is research itself…the speakers and all who attend will gather into the learning process together and, in turn, consider how we can best care for those women and men who have engaged in combat,” Chaplain Brian Konkol said.
-Haley Bell