CAPE SAILOR AMONG THOSE LEAVING SUBIC

A Cape Girardeau sailor, Brent Hixson, was among Navy personnel aboard the USS Independence as it left Subic Bay in the Philippines on Saturday.

Sailors spelled out "Farewell Subic" on the deck of the ship as the last U.S. battle group left the base, which closes this year after 94 years of U.S. control.

A news story about the event, along with a photograph, were published in newspapers around the country.

Hixson's mother, Faye Hixson, said, "We were quite shocked to learn about this. We realize our son is somewhere in that photograph."

Hixson, 23, is stationed at the main Naval base in Japan. Hixson works in aviation electronics and is currently serving aboard the Independence.

Hixson said she talked to her son about a month ago. "We knew he was leaving for the Philippines, but I didn't realize he was going to be involved in this."

Hixson said she scrutinized a photograph of the ship's sailors looking for her son's face.

"We are very anxious to talk to him and find out which letter he's standing in," she said. "I will be writing to him; you can bet that."

"He's been in and out of the Philippines before when he was on the Midway," she said. "He says it's not a pleasant place; it's very hot, very steamy and very dangerous."

Hixson, a 1986 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School, enlisted in the Navy in September 1986. He is the son of Jerry and Faye Hixson of Cape Girardeau.