Today is Flag Day, and in honor of our American flag and everything it stands for, Three Oaks is holding a weekend of activities, concluding with the world’s largest Flag Day parade.

I encourage all southwest Michigan families to come out and join me in helping Three Oaks celebrate the 60th year of paying tribute to the stars and stripes, our servicemen and women, our great country and the freedoms they all represent and protect.

The Second Continental Congress adopted “Old Glory” as our national symbol on June 14, 1777.

President Wilson declared June 14 as Flag Day in a 1916 proclamation, and Congress later established the day as National Flag Day in August 1949.

Less than four years later, Three Oaks organized a community parade to honor the day.

What began as a Sunday event of about 20 units comprised of drill teams and color guards has grown to a three-day weekend of celebrations.

The iconic parade now   averages more than 100 entries, including veterans, color guards, marching bands, clowns, equestrian groups, drill teams, antique cars and trucks and drum and bugle corps.

Thousands of families and visitors will line the streets to see the various groups displaying and honoring the American flag.

Over the years, this grandest tradition has expanded its celebration of America to a whole weekend of family-friendly activities, including a pet parade, art in the park, timber shows and several musical acts.

Especially popular is the Saturday kid zone, featuring rides, carnival games and free train rides on the Flag Day Express.

The weekend is June 15-17 and offers a wide variety of entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Most importantly, Three Oaks Flag Day Weekend has never lost sight of its main purpose: To honor and celebrate the American flag and the freedoms and liberty that it represents and that we hold so dear.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Buckeye and Elm Street and heads south on Elm to Linden Street and ends at the American Legion Post. I look forward to seeing you there.

For more information on the weekend and parade, including a full schedule of events, residents may visit www.threeoaksflagday.com.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.