Memorial Day attendees watch as American Legion Post 488 members raise the American flag at the Gold Star Memorial at Guthrie Park as part of the Navy Wreath ceremony. | Jim Connelly 
Thomas Sisulak, commander of the Squadron 488, speaks at the Riverside Memorial Day Program. A photo of late WWII veteran Joseph “Papa Joe” Zich, the Honored Riverside Veteran for 2024, is displayed below the podium. | Jim Connelly 
Riverside Trustee Alex Gallegos is joined by American Legion members and attendees as he walks to Guthrie Park for the Navy Wreath Ceremony. | Jim Connelly 
An American Legion post member plays the trumpet at the Memorial Day ceremony. | Jim Connelly 
The wreath, dedicated to Riverside residents who lost their lives serving in foreign wars, was placed in the Des Plaines River following the ceremony at Guthrie Park. | Jim Connelly 
American Legion post members, including Tom Sisulak (second from left) and Trustee Alex Gallegos (third from left), pose together after the Memorial Day Program.
The American Legion Post 488 hosted the annual Riverside Memorial Day Program at the St. Paul IV Parish Center Gym at 97 Herrick Road on May 27.
The central focus of the program was the reading of the “Riverside 54,” which refers to 54 Riverside residents who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military. The list includes three WWI veterans, 44 WWII veterans, five Korean War veterans, and two Vietnam War veterans.
Guests were invited to Guthrie Park’s Gold Star Memorial immediately afterward for a Navy Wreath ceremony. After the recitation of the “Riverside 54,” the American Legion post placed a wreath, dedicated to Riverside residents who lost their lives while serving in foreign wars, in the Des Plaines River.
