Former U.S. deputy asst. secretary of defense to headline veterans luncheon in Wilmington, NC

Rear Admiral Donald P. Loren, USN (ret) will headline a luncheon honoring local veterans this Thursday, March 24, in Wilmington, NC.

The former deputy assistant secretary of defense, Loren now serves as strategic advisor and national liaison for Vets4Energy, a national organization of veterans advocating for energy policies that advance our national security.

Two topics Loren is likely to talk about are energy-related jobs and the Obama Administration’s recent decision to bar drilling in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), located just off North Carolina’s shores.

Loren was on hand recently to announce the Veterans Energy Pipeline, a new Web site underwritten by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that aims to help military members returning to civilian life find jobs in the energy industry.

“The Veterans Energy Pipeline website is an easy-to-use tool that takes veterans through the process of identifying a job that matches the skill-set they acquired while in uniform,” said Loren. “It’s an intuitive, step-by-step guide that translates all types of military jobs into their more commonly-known civilian equivalents.”

Regarding the Obama Administration’s Atlantic OCS decision, Loren is likely to find agreement among local citizens. A recent public opinion survey conducted by the Harris Poll and released by API found that 64 percent of North Carolina voters support “offshore development of U.S. oil and natural gas resources.”

77 percent of North Carolina voters said increased offshore energy production could “benefit federal and state budgets” and 88 percent said it could lead to more jobs.

Some of Loren’s Vets4Energy colleagues, such as Real Admiral William L. Schachte, USN (ret)., the volunteer chair of South Carolina Vets4Energy, have been publicly critical of the Administration’s Atlantic OCS decision.

“This decision puts unwarranted fear above sound science, and politics over national security,” Schachte told Palmetto Business Daily. “The Administration’s decision will cost our country in the national security that energy independence provides.”

Thursday’s luncheon will take place at the American Legion Post 10, located at 701 Pine Grove Drive in Wilmington. It is co-sponsored by Vets4Energy and the Navy League Wilmington Council.