Clean Energy Bus Tour Stops at Saracen Landing
By Wes Clement

A group of veterans from across the country visited Pine Bluff Monday morning to speak to local officials about the importance of U.S. development of clean, domestic energy.

Members of Operation Free: Veterans for American Power Tour shared their views on foreign oil dependence and listened to what local officials and residents had to say.

“The overall purpose of this particular tour is to lend the veterans’ voice to the clean energy dialogue,” retired Army Staff Sgt. Chuck Tyler said during the stop at Saracen Landing. “We understand first hand what it’s like being out in the field.

“It’s our opinion that America, as powerful as it is, as innovative as it is, we should be able to create clean energy alternatives so we are less dependent on fossil fuels.”

Jefferson County Sheriff Gerald Robinson said he thought people tend to listen to what veterans have to say.

“Our country is a country of patriotism, and by our veterans coming out and speaking, I feel people will listen because there is a certain respect that our country has for those who have given their services,” Robinson said.

Pine Bluff was the first of 39 stops on the tour’s southern route. Another bus began Monday touring the northern part of the country.

“One of the major reasons we went to Iraq the second time, although it is not discussed, is to protect our oil interest,” retired Marine Corps Sgt. Matt Victoriano said. “A lot of the Bush administration were involved in prior years with Iraq and they all perceived Suddam Hussein as being a destabilizing factor in the area.

“The fact we were going over there to protect our oil, especially when we could be providing our own energy, is I think a sacrifice for a lot of us,” Victoriano said. “When people die for reasons like that it can absolutely be prevented. I find it hard to believe we would be over there a second time if we didn’t rely on oil.”

A breakfast followed the town hall-style event and residents and officials had an opportunity to speak further with the veterans.

“I feel the United States is the greatest country in the world,” Robinson said. “I feel with the resources that we have — alternative fuels, solar sources, corn — the more natural fuel sources we depend on, the better this country is going to be.”

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