The village of Riverside will host its annual Memorial Day program on Monday, May 28 at 10 a.m. at the St. Mary Parish Center, 97 Herrick Road.
The ceremony, which honors the 54 Riverside residents killed while serving in the Armed Forces in the nation’s foreign wars since the beginning of the 20th century, has drawn more than 100 people in recent years.
For the past 10 years, the program has been organized by Riverside resident Tom Sisulak, and it now includes a pair of ceremonies – one in the morning at St. Mary’s and another at 1 p.m. at the Gold Star Memorial in Guthrie Park, Riverside and Bloomingbank roads, across from the train station.
During the longer morning program, local pastors will read the names of the “Riverside 54” and the program also honors a living veteran each year. This year’s honored veteran is Lt. Col. James D. Sullivan, who served in the U.S. Marines from 1975 to 1991.
Sullivan was stationed in South Korea, the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan, during his career as a forward air controller, flying Marine observation aircraft. He also flew refueling planes and was a pilot during the First Gulf War in 1990-91. He has been a pilot for Delta Airlines since 1987.
The morning program also features music by the Riverside-Brookfield High School band and choir. Marine Corps veteran Tom Day will play “Taps” near the end of the program.
In addition, a local collector will display rare military uniforms and medals. St. Mary’s will provide light refreshments before and after the morning program.
The USO of Illinois will be collecting items such as instant coffee, breakfast bars, trail mix, protein bars, beef jerky and toiletries to be shipped to those serving overseas.
The outdoor program in Guthrie Park at 1 p.m. will feature a wreath placed in the Des Plaines River to honor those buried at sea. The flag will also be raised to full staff.
