Jim Rolfes To Recite His Poem “Come Visit My Grave”
A member of American Legion Wasmer Post #241 of Le Mars is going to read the poem, “Come Visit My Grave” by author Jim Rolfes of Le Mars. Rolfes describes how he was 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.
The poem begins with these words: I am a Veteran, under the sod. I’m in good company, I’m up here with God. Come to my grave and visit me. I gave my life, so you could be free.
Rolfes, along with Wayne Schipper, often gives tours of the Plymouth County Veterans Park to charter bus groups 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. The poem is also pictured on the Schuster trailer that stores the flags.
Also, remember that Monday, Le Mars American Legion Wasmer Post 241 will present their annual Memorial Day Program in the Le Mars Community Middle School Auditorium due to the predicted weather forecast. The 9:30am parade has been cancelled. The Memorial Day program will be at 10 a.m. in Le Mars with a lunch at the American Legion Hall to follow for a free will donation. Flags will be taken down beginning at 4 p.m.
Holiday Motorcycle Ride This Weekend
The 11th annual “Thunder on the Missouri” ride takes place this Memorial Day weekend.
Sunday, from noon until 2 pm, the Thunder Riders will line up at American Legion post 662 located at 901 East Topaz Drive in Sergeant Bluff.
Then at 2 pm the riders will be escorted by local law enforcement.
They will regroup and flag up at South Sioux City High School before proceeding to Siouxland Freedom Park.
The riders will arrive there at 2:30 pm and encircle Freedom Park via the walking/bike path.
Once all bikes and cars are parked, the signal for the thunder salute takes place.
Attendees will then adjourn to the memorial wall area for a short ceremony.
All vehicles are welcome and if you do not want to ride or drive, you can attend the ceremony at Siouxland Freedom Park.
Body Identified In Rural Rock Valley Fire
A person whose body was found after a fire at a rural Rock Valley home on Monday has been identified. The Rock Valley Fire Department says Shelly Smit, 61 died as a result of a house fire May 19. Smit resided at the house along with the homeowner, Mike Smit.
On Monday, May 19, at 6:09 a.m., the Rock Valley Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 report of a residential fire that occurred at 2096 340th Street, seven miles southwest of Rock Valley, IA.
Upon arrival at the location, Rock Valley Fire discovered the residence to be fully engulfed by fire. Mutual fire assistance was received from fire departments of Hull, Ireton and Sioux Center.
The homeowner, Mike Smit, 67, was transported by the Rock Valley Ambulance to Hegg Health Center for treatment of fire-related injuries. After extinguishing the fire, the body of Shelly Smit was discovered in the basement area; she was pronounced deceased by the Sioux County Medical Examiner.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Rock Valley Fire Chief in conjunction with the Iowa State Fire Marshal.
The Rock Valley Fire Department was assisted by the Rock Valley Ambulance, Hull Fire Department, Ireton Fire Department, Sioux Center Fire Department and Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
Governor meeting with ‘passionate advocates’ on both sides of pipeline issue
Governor Kim Reynolds says she and her staff are assessing legislation that would establish new regulations for carbon pipelines.
The governor has until June 14th to make decisions on ALL the bills that cleared the legislature this year. Reynolds says for at least another week she plans to continue what she describes as listening sessions with advocates of the bill and those who are asking her to veto it.
The governor says almost every meeting has led to additional research by her legal counsel and other staff to learn more about the details of the bill and its impact.
Reynolds made her comments during on the “Iowa Press” program that aired last night (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S. After four years of action on pipeline-related bills in the House, this is the first year the Senate passed one to the governor’s desk.
