GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Congressman Howard Coble's campaign signs were simple. Black and yellow with just four words, "Our Congressman Howard Coble." It wasn't a slogan but rather the way people saw him. He was their Congressman and for 30 years, people in North Carolina's 6th District were proud to claim him.
Congressman Coble died on Election Day following complications from a skin cancer surgery.
American Patriot
"He's going to be very missed. He was a people person, you know he represented us well," said Rick Rohme.
On a day set aside to honor another Veteran, a group of North Carolina Patriot Guard Riders took a moment to remember Congressman Howard Coble's service.
"I had the distinct honor of meeting him several times at KIA missions and Veterans Day events and he always had a kind word and made it a point to seek us out and thank us," explained Rohme, State Captain, North Carolina Patriot Guard. "And that means a lot coming from someone of his caliber."
"The first time I met him was at a Veterans Day event in Eden and I'll be honest, he came up and I had several things going on," remembers Rohme. "He sought me out and asked if I was heading up this organization and he held out his hand and said 'Thank you.' That meant a lot. That's one of those lump in your throat moments."
On that day, Congressman Coble pulled a business card out of his jacket pocket and jotted down his cell phone number. He handed the card over to Rohme and told him to call if he ever needed any help.
"I think the best way I could describe him is he was a man who didn't forget where he came from."
200 Ceremonies
Rodney Carpenter met Congressman Coble his first week on the job as the Scout Director of the Old North State Council, Boy Scouts of America.
"I met him at an Eagle Court of Honor."
Carpenter added, "I had never really experienced an elected official who had the interest in partaking in ceremonies to the extent that the congressman had. He was really prolific at attending and making sure he was attending Eagle Courts of Honor."
Congressman Coble was a Boy Scout and although he wasn't an Eagle Scout himself, he attended more than 200 Eagle Scout ceremonies. "Even when he was in ill health, he still made time," said Carpenter.
He added, "I think he wanted to remind them that service to community was extremely important and I think it's that service to community that is really going to be the Congressman's legacy and that's why he is going to be missed so much."
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