Maine Senate candidate Platner says tattoo recognized as Nazi symbol has been covered

"The first-time political candidate said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo in 2007, when he was in his 20s and in the Marine Corps. It happened during a night of drinking while he was on leave in Croatia, he said, adding he was unaware until recently that the image has been associated with Nazi police. Platner, in an Associated Press interview, said that while his campaign"

"The initial tattoo image resembled a specific symbol of Hitler's paramilitary Schutzstaffel, or SS, which was responsible for the systematic murders of millions of Jews and others in Europe during World War II. Platner didn't offer details about the new tattoo, but offered to send the AP a photo later Wednesday. The oyster farmer is mounting a progressive campaign against Republican Susan Collins, who has held the Senate seat for 30 years."

Graham Platner said he received a skull-and-crossbones tattoo in 2007 while in his 20s and serving in the Marine Corps, during a night of drinking on leave in Croatia. He said he was unaware until recently that the image has been associated with Nazi police and that the initial image resembled a specific Schutzstaffel (SS) symbol. Platner said his campaign initially planned removal but he instead covered the tattoo because removal services are limited in rural Maine. He noted he passed military tattoo examinations and a security clearance and that questions followed discovery of now-deleted online statements.

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