DUMMERSTON — With the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations now taking place throughout the United States, this seems to be an appropriate time for receptive people to look closely at the example of those who have given much for the advancement of justice and peace.
It's coincidental that one of those people, S. Brian Wilson, will be in our area on Oct. 21 to talk about his life, as described in his new memoir, Blood on the Tracks.
In his introduction to the book, Daniel Ellsberg, who released the Pentagon Papers, writes: “No reader, I believe, will finish this book without a sense of awe at the human spirit that is revealed in it.”
Wilson, a former Vermont resident, Vietnam War veteran, attorney, advocate for veterans' rights, and 1986 “Veterans Fast for Life” participant, gave the most in 1987 when he and others attempted to block a train shipment of U.S. weapons to the Nicaraguan Contras. Instead of slowing down, the train engineer had orders to speed up, and Wilson lost his legs just below the knee and part of his skull.
As devastating as this experience was, Wilson continues in his efforts “to engage the public in recognition of the true nature of U.S. Imperialism.”
He started his book tour by cycling from Portland, Ore., to San Francisco on his three-wheeled, hand-powered recumbent cycle. He disavows air travel and wants to demonstrate a mode of personal transportation that reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
He will be speaking at Friday, Oct. 21, at Putney Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, 1/4 mile north of Putney village on Route 5. Prior to that, he will sign his book between 5 and 6 p.m. at Everyone's Books in downtown Brattleboro.
Both events are free.