WWII submariners honored for service

BANGOR – Tommy Cox of Caribou picked up his guitar – the same one he took with him 40 years ago on submarines – and sang to the men assembled at the Bangor Veteran Center Monday.

Can’t see the sun,

Can’t see the sky,

But it’s my life,

And I don’t know why.

The other veterans of the U.S. Navy knew what he meant because they, too, had spent time on submarines in service to their country.

Four of them, whose names were inscribed on a plaque which will hang in the Vet Center, did their service on submarines in the Pacific Theater during World War II – Eugene O’Connell of Hampden, on the USS Hoe; Francis “Moldy” Higgins of Bangor, on the USS Croaker; Bud Nadeau of Milford, on the USS Queenfish; and Earle Aucoin of Milford, on the USS Razorback.

The four are members of the World War II and Korean War Veterans group that meets at the Vet Center.

Joined by Bob Duddy of Bangor, who also served on a sub during World War II, the men were honored for National Submarine Day, which is April 11.

Participants included Ralph Grover, who runs the veterans group; Melissa Charette, an intern from Husson College; Gail Kelly, representing U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe; and Michael Noyes, representing U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

For information on the Bangor Veteran Center, call 947-3391.