(Le Mars) — A major component to the Avenue of Flags Memorial Day program by the American Legion Wasmer Post #241 of Le Mars is the reading of the poem, “Come Visit My Grave” by author Jim Rolfes of Le Mars. Rolfes tells how he was first inspired to create the poem that is associated with Memorial Day.
Rolfes says ever since he wrote the poem he has been given compliments and high praise for saying what many people were thinking. The Le Mars American Legion member says the praise has come from all parts of the nation.
Rolfes says there have been thoughts from others thinking the poem “Come Visit My Grave” should be included as part of the Arlington National Cemetery, but he says some of those initial efforts have stalled. Rolfes often gives tours of the Plymouth County Veterans Park to charter bus tours that arrive at Le Mars. He says many times, those charter buses have veterans, and he says they have shown their appreciation of reading the poem at its permanent home at the Plymouth County Veterans Park.
Rolfes poem is also featured on the front of the Veterans semi-trailer that stores the American flags for the Avenue of Flags program. Rolfes admits even after all these years after writing the poem, he still gets a bit emotional when reading his poem at the Memorial Day Avenue of Flags program. He says other American Legion posts across the state have incorporated “Come Visit My Grave” poem into their own Memorial Day programs.
Click here to hear Jim Rolfes recite his poem “Come Visit My Grave.”
