Army vet Chuck Tyler talks about national security and oil independence

Today the Veterans for American Power tour continues it’s southern swing deeper into the land of Dixie. Over the past several days, we’ve traveled from West Virginia to Washington DC, and then headed south all the way to Greensboro, NC, visiting Richmond, Norfolk, Raleigh, Fayetteville and over-nighting in Greensboro.

 The vets continue to press their message of clean energy and oil independence to make our country more secure.

Marine Corps vet Matt Victoriano and Navy vet Ashkan Abattpour conducting TV interviews in Raleigh NC

 “It’s really important that we let people know that what we learned in the military is to prepare for threats in advance,” said Army vet Rafael Noboa, who served in Iraq. “With climate disruption, we know the threat is coming. Our own military is preparing for it. People need to understand that if we don’t prepare for it and change to a clean energy economy then we will face a dangerous future.”

Army vet Rafael Noboa makes a point to a TV interview in Fayetteville NC

 On a crystal clear warm fall day, our blue bus emblazoned with slogan “More Jobs, Less Pollution, Greater Security,” rambled into Norfolk, one of the largest Navy bases in the country. There we were met by members of the VFW and other dignitaries who embraced the veterans’ message of energy and national security.

 “We cannot allow foreign countries to control our energy sources, and we must create new ones here so we can protect our national interests, said Navy veteran Ashkan Bayatpour. “We can create more jobs and develop our own clean energy sources that will protect our national security interests and protect the American people from the threats of climate disruption.”

 From Norfolk, we boarded back on the bus and rolled down the highway for a four hour drive to the Raleigh, NC. As night fell, our bus narrowly avoided a serious accident on the highway. Just in front of our bus a car had collided with another and crashed into the guardrail. Veterans rushed to the aid of a passenger who was pinned inside. We comforted the man before emergency crews arrived. It was a sobering experience for all.

 Yesterday another beautiful sunny day our intrepid veterans cruised through three cities in the Tarheel State. In Charlotte, Fayetteville and Greensboro, television media and local veteran officials and political leaders turned out to hear what they had to say about energy and national security.

Operationfree members pose for pictures with state rep in Greensboro NC

 “There is no greater threat to our country right now than climate disruption,” Marine Corps vet Matt Victoriano told a large gathering of media outside Raleigh’s VFW Hall.T hat’s why we’re all out here today. It’s not just an environmental issue; it’s a national security threat. I don’t want to have to see any more of my buddies go off to fight wars because of it. The Pentagon and the Marine Corps all know it’s real. We need to do something about it now and build a clean energy economy to keep America secure.”

 Today, it’s off to the Palmetto State, South Carolina, where the message of the Veterans for American Power Tour will continue its long journey south, riding like Paul Revere from town to town to warn citizens and leaders of the dangers ahead if we don’t act now.

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