DAR honors Bangor man with two patriotic awards

LEWISTON – Galen L. Cole of Bangor received two awards during the spring conference of the Maine Daughters of the American Revolution on April 28.

Martha Hamilton, DAR state historian, presented Cole with the DAR Patriotic Service Award for his work with the Ambassadors of Patriotism program at Cole Land Transportation Museum.

Each year, thousands of schoolchildren from throughout the state visit the museum to interview veterans about their military service from World War II to the present.

Cole also received the DAR Medal of Honor and certificate, an honor that required chapter, state and national approval. Frances Dighton Williams Chapter, DAR, of Bangor nominated Cole for the award for his many years of efforts to recognize veterans.

Activities organized by Cole over the years include the 1986 opening of the Veterans Remembrance Bridge, the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the end of World War II, the 2005 plane trip taking 130 veterans and community members to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington and programs to distribute Maine-made walking sticks to World War II and Korean War veterans. Vietnam veterans who walk or ride in this year’s Memorial Day Parade in Bangor also will receive walking sticks beginning at 9:15 a.m. where the parade forms on Exchange Street.

Cole also was recognized for community service and business.

A veteran of World War II, Cole was accompanied to the awards banquet by his wife, Sue, the 1944 DAR Good Citizen from Bangor High School; his son, Gary, and wife, Marsha; his daughter, Janet Cross, and her husband Bill and son Ryan; and family friend Wilma Bradford, historian for Frances Dighton Williams Chapter.