Veterans for Clean Energy Rolling Through Pennsylvania this Week

Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, the Operation Free Veterans for American Power bus tour will be rolling through Pennsylvania with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan speaking out on the need for the United States to strengthen its national security by transitioning to clean energy and ending our dependency on sources of energy from unfriendly nations.

The cross-country tour will be making stops in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton. See below for all the details.

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Military veterans are traveling across the country on a 21-state bus tour to talk to citizens and local community leaders about the dangers of climate change and its threat to national security. The tour will make stops in Pennsylvania on October 20th, 21st and 22nd.

The tour is sponsored by Operation Free, a coalition of veterans and national security groups working together to raise public awareness about national security threats posed by climate change and the importance of building a clean energy economy that is not tied to fossil fuels.

In conjunction with the tour, the veterans group VoteVets.org is running a heavy buy of radio ads in Harrisburg and Scranton featuring local veterans.

Operation Free and its members support a clean energy plan that cuts carbon pollution, develops clean energy incentives, and puts America in control of its energy future. If you would like to set up an interview with one of the veterans traveling on the bus, please contact David Solimini at 757-876-0295. For more information about the tour, visit the Operation Free Veterans for American Power Bus Tour website (http://www.operationfree.net/on-the-bus/).

Pennsylvania Tour Schedule

Pittsburgh PA: Veterans will hold a press conference, take a tour of the Oakland Veterans Hospital, and have dinner and toast to veterans in Pittsburgh.

Tour of Oakland Veterans Hospital
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
4:00 PM
WHERE: Oakland Vets Hospital
University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA

Press Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
5:15 PM
WHERE: Pittsburgh Jobs Corps Center
7175 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA


Dinner and Toast to Veterans
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:30 PM
WHERE: Primanti Brothers Restaurant
3803 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA


Harrisburg, PA: Veterans will host a breakfast roundtable with local veterans and a press conference with local veterans and officials. They will then take a tour of a local job training site with union members.

Breakfast Roundtable
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
10:00 AM
WHERE: Bagel Lovers coffee shop
327 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA

Press conference
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:00 AM
WHERE: Capitol Rotunda
228 Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA
PARTICIPANTS: Paul Bachman, Central PA Building Trades President
Terry Peck, UA Local 520 Business Manager
Local veterans

Tour of Job Training Center
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:50 AM
WHERE: Plumbers & Pipefitters 520
7193 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA



Philadelphia, PA: Veterans will host a town hall with State Rep. Brian Lentz

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
6:30 PM
WHERE: Philadelphia City Hall, Mayor's Reception Room (Room 202)
Enter through NE entrance of City Hall, near intersection of Juniper and Market Streets.


Scranton, PA: Veterans will host a press conference with local citizens.

WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2009
10:15 AM
WHERE: Civil War Memorial for press conference
N. Washington Ave and Spruce Street, Scranton, PA