On Sunday, our country honors perhaps its most recognizable symbol: its flag, but Saturday morning a crowd gathered at Woodburn Baptist Church for an early celebration.

For the third year, many groups including the Bowling Green Police Department Honor Guard, several area churches, and Woodburn Boy Scout Troop No. 555 were all on hand to present the flags for proper retirement.

Those involved say the event is important to witness or participate in.

"So many Americans don't realize that there's a proper way of retiring your flag, and they'll dispose of it disrespectfully in an unintentional manner," said Chief Audrey Spies of the Woodburn Police Department. "Here we try to do it in a public ceremony. Not only to pay respect to the flags, but also to educate."

The event also included a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.