Mayor Paul Samuelson will officiate at a tree-planting ceremony for Friendship Force on Sunday.

The mayor unveiled a proclamation saluting the peace-promoting organization at this week’s Langley City Council meeting.

Friendship Force of Whidbey Island is hosting 14 visitors from Vietnam and 12 from Canada during their six-day stay on the island.

The local chapter is part of an international organization which participates in exchange visits with other chapters throughout the world in the interest of peace.

Local members have traveled to several countries, and have in return hosted foreign visitors.

When a group from another country visits, a friendship tree is planted next to the soccer fields at South Whidbey Sports Complex off Langley Road. About 20 trees have been planted so far.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, a ginkgo tree will be planted in honor of the Vietnamese visitors, and Samuelson will deliver the proclamation.

This morning, Friendship Force members and their visitors will march in the Island County Fair Parade through downtown Langley, beginning at 10 a.m. Friendship Force participants will carry flags of their countries, and several will be dressed in costume.

Founded in 1991 and currently about 25 members strong, the local chapter of Friendship Force is one of more than 350 groups in 50 countries dedicated to promoting peace and cooperation through informal group exchanges.

The local group’s next trip abroad will be next year, to Germany and Romania.