WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement from Senator King, mourning the passing of Galen Cole. A lifetime Mainer, Cole was a decorated World War II Veteran, public servant, business leader, and philanthropist who worked to lift up the voices of America’s veterans.

“Galen Cole lived the kind of life that defies description,” said Senator King. “Over the course of his 94 years, Galen was a public servant, a business leader, a philanthropist, a veteran, and much, much more. It’s impossible to summarize the totality of his contributions to Maine, but if there’s one thing I choose to remember about him, it’s this: Galen Cole helped people.

“Galen left behind so much for our state, from the Cole Land Transportation Museum to the Walking Sticks for Veterans Program – but above all, he left behind his example. For nearly a century, Maine benefited from his kindness and dedication – now, it’s up to us to follow in his footsteps, as his memory inspires us to treat each other with the same compassion that he showed to each and every person he met. As we honor his lifetime of service to our state, Mary and I are holding Galen’s family, friends, and loved ones in our thoughts.”