Operation Free Veteran Terron Sims appeared on the Dylan Ratigan Show on MSNBC this afternoon at 4pm. He nailed the interview and advocated on behalf clean energy and veterans which he said is a part of the “modern form of American exceptionalism.” Show him your support through twitter @TerronII.

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The House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Readiness met today to discuss energy security. Operation Free sent a letter to the Subcommittee members highlighting the importance of clean energy and supporting the Department of Defense’s commitment to clean, domestic and alternative sources of energy.

The military is committed to research, development, and implementation of new and clean energy sources.  To the military, energy means efficiency and safety. The warfighter can experience improved combat capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign oil and stabilizing energy costs when using advanced energy sources and technologies.

Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, Rep. J. Randy Forbes (Va.), questioned the panel of Department of Defense and armed forces representatives. The Chairman stuck to politics instead of acknowledging the Department of Defense’s significant dedication to energy security. The Honorable Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Energy, and the Environment, defended the armed forces investment in clean energy in his statements. Yonkers discussed the goals of energy security, national security, economic security, and environmental security describing the prior as not mutually exclusive but all tied together. The Assistant Secretary went on to emphasize that energy efficiency mean effectiveness in operations for the armed forces.

Operation Free calls for a focus on clean, domestic energy production as a means of solidifying our national security. Not only is there the national security concern of releasing our nation from the control of foreign oil, but the advancement of domestic energy sources provides economic opportunities for Americans as well.

President Obama spoke in the Rose Garden this morning, preceding a Congressional vote to end oil tax subsidies, on the importance of ending these subsidies while focusing on clean energy investment.

Joining the President in the Rose Garden were two Operation Free veterans, Terron Sims and Chris Marzoni, who recognize the need to lessen our reliance on oil while investing in clean energy. “I’m glad that my Commander in Chief is doing what it takes to make sure we have true energy independence by taking steps to reduce our oil use and increase clean, renewable sources of American energy,” Sims said in a statement following the President’s remarks.

Chris Marzoni Shaking Hands with the President, Terron Sims Top Left

Last year the three largest American oil companies made over $80 billion in combined profit.  The President, and other supporters of ending tax subsidies, realize that with the oil industry seeing booming profits and production there is no need to further provide for their wealth.  “Instead of taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s never been more profitable, we should be using that money to double-down on investments in clean energy technologies that have never been more promising,” President Obama stated.

Operation Free stands for this further commitment to clean energy in order to ensure America’s future.  Clean energy is of significant importance to our nation from an economic and national security standpoint.  America’s reliance on foreign oil is a national security threat, as stated by leaders at the Pentagon, State Department, and National Intelligence Council.  Clean energy will allow the United States to release itself from the threatening grip of foreign oil and to reassert control of its energy future.

Washington, DC –This morning, Truman Project Fellow and Operation Free Veteran, Terron Sims, joined President Barack Obama at an event in the Rose Garden about the impact of high gas prices.

Following the event, Sims released the following statement:

“I was proud to stand with the President today, and offer my support for the important energy initiatives his Administration has put forward.

“I remember as a kid seeing cars and trucks lined up for blocks behind gas stations just to fill their tanks part way. Twenty years later, I saw cars lined up again, but this time in Iraq. There, the lines would stretch up to ten miles long under the hot sun, under constant risk of attack by extremists. I realized then just how vulnerable it makes any country to be dependent on oil, especially the United States, which uses nearly a quarter of the world’s supply.

“That’s why I’m glad that my Commander in Chief is doing what it takes to make sure we have true energy independence by taking steps to reduce our oil use and increase clean, renewable sources of American energy. I hope Congress will work with the President on these goals for the sake of America’s security.”

Terron Sims is a former US Army Captain and Iraq War veteran. Operation Free is a national coalition of US military veterans working to send the message that America’s security relies on ending our addiction to oil and establishing clean, renewable sources of energy. Operation Free is a campaign of the Truman National Security Project.

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The Truman National Security Project is the country’s only progressive national security leadership institute. For more information, visit www.trumanproject.org.

Come to Operation Free’s Energy Security Briefing on Capitol Hill this Friday, March 23rd to learn about the security impact of America’s energy use while enjoying a delicious lunch. It will be held in  Rayburn House Office Building B-339 on Friday, March 23rd from 12:00pm – 1:30pm. For more information or to RSVP contact Michael Wu at mwu@trumanproject.org