November Traditions

generously.

Our tradition of making our end-of-the-year request in November is rooted in the American calendar:  November has both Veterans Day, when we show our gratitude to those men and women who have defended our homeland and brought the blessings of liberty to others; and Thanksgiving, when we as a Nation set aside a day to gather our families together and thank God for his generous blessings on this land.  As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I will share with you a true story from the Wheat family that we read every year as a family – to remember a blessing that occurred 150 years ago.

This past election day, the Nation and the Germanna family of families lost a kind and considerate Southern gentleman, Congressman Howard Coble of North Carolina.  A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Mr. Coble was a distinguished Germanna descendant (the sixth great-grandson of Hans Michael Holt & Anna Elisabetha Scheible) who carried with him the air of old North Carolina through his sly wit and pungent cigars.

As a Chairman of a House Judiciary Subcommittee, I got to know him well through the Speaker’s Drug Task Force when I was the staff director of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on House government reform.  My fondest memories were travelling with him overseas: he ably represented the position of the United States Congress on matters touching on drug trafficking, nuclear proliferation, and the growing menace of Russian militarism.  We extend our condolences to his family and staff.

Lastly, I look forward to hearing from you and let me know what news you would like me to pass on to the broader Germanna family of families!

Best to you and your family,