There’s a new flag flying over Guthrie Park in Riverside – one that’s already graced the top of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
At the June 4 meeting of the Riverside village board, the Riverside Friends of the Fourth donated the flag to Ron Malchiodi, director of the Riverside Department of Parks and Recreation to replace the old flag, which was worn out.
Malchiodi had mentioned to the group that the present flag was at least 5 years old and would need to be changed out soon. So the Friends contacted U.S. Congressman Daniel Lipinski, who responded to and honored the request.
The flag presented to Malchiodi on June 4 was flown over the Capitol on April 20, said JoAnne Kosey, who is also a columnist for the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. Kosey presented Malchiodi with a certificate signed by Lipinski, certifying that the flag flew over Congress’ home in the nation’s capital.
The flag will be raised to the top of the pole in Guthrie Park during a ceremony prior to the annual concert in the park on July 3.
The Friends of the Fourth is an organization formed in 2009 by a handful of residents in order to save Riverside’s Fourth of July celebration, which includes the July 3 concert in Guthrie Park and the annual July 4 parade, followed by another gathering in Guthrie Park.
