Brian Willson facts for kids

S. Brian Willson (born July 4, 1941) is an American Vietnam veteran, a peace activist, and a trained lawyer. He is known for speaking out against war and for human rights.

Willson served in the US Air Force from 1966 to 1970. He spent several months as a security officer in Vietnam. He left the air force as a captain. After his service, he joined groups like Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace. He also studied law at American University in Washington, D.C. Willson has had many different jobs, including working with prisoners and helping veterans.

As a lawyer and writer, he has looked into U.S. policies in many countries. Since 1986, Willson has visited places like Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iraq, and Japan. He studies policies that he believes go against U.S. Constitutional and international law. Willson teaches people about the dangers of these policies. He has also taken part in long fasts and peaceful protests called civil disobedience. He has even refused to pay taxes as a way to protest.

Standing Up for Peace

Protest at Concord Naval Weapons Station

On September 1, 1987, Brian Willson took part in a protest. He and other veterans were protesting the shipping of U.S. weapons to Central America. This was during the Contra wars. They blocked railroad tracks at the Concord, California, Naval Weapons Station. A train came and did not stop. It hit the veterans. Willson was badly hurt and lost both of his legs below the knee. He also suffered a serious head injury.

After the incident, Willson learned that the train crew had been told not to stop. Three days later, over 10,000 people gathered to support Willson. They also protested against sending weapons to Central America. Important people like Jesse Jackson spoke at this gathering.

For many years after, anti-war protesters kept a constant watch at the weapons depot. This station shipped huge amounts of weapons each year.

Willson later settled a lawsuit against the government and train crew. He received $920,000. Today, he uses artificial legs to walk. He also travels locally using a special handcycle.

Organizations for Change

Brian Willson has helped start many important organizations. These groups work for peace and justice. Some of them include:

• Veterans Education Project (VEP)
• Vietnam Veterans Peace Education Network (VVPEN)
• National Federation of Veterans For Peace (NFVFP)
• Veterans Fast For Life (VFFL) – a 47-day water-only fast
• Veterans Peace Action Teams (VPAT) – which sent teams to Nicaragua and El Salvador
• Institute For the Practice of Nonviolence
• The People's Fast For Justice and Peace in the Americas – another long water fast

Willson was also an early member of Veterans for Peace.

Sharing His Story

Writing and Films

Brian Willson has written several books about his experiences and his views on U.S. policies.

• His short autobiography, On Third World Legs, was published in 1992.
• His memoir, Blood on the Tracks: The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson, came out in 2011.
• His third major book, Don't Thank Me For My Service: My Vietnam Awakening to the Long History of U.S. Lies, was published in 2018.

There have also been films made about Brian Willson's life and activism:

• In 1988, a documentary called The Healing of Brian Willson was made.
• In 2016, a film titled Paying the Price For Peace: The Story of S. Brian Willson (and other activists) was produced.

Awards and Recognition

Brian Willson has received many awards for his work for peace and justice. He was given the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award. This award was presented at the Kennedy Library and Museum on September 26, 1992.