Flag-raising ceremony held at Calvary Baptist Church

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Operation Pride, a local nonprofit organization, held a flag-raising ceremony at Calvary Baptist Church on Wednesday to celebrate raising its 14th American flag along Interstates 65 and 165.

The organization raises the flags not only to honor veterans, but to instill pride in members of the community and encourage travelers to stop and visit Bowling Green.

When asked why they decided to put up the flags, Operation Pride Co-Chairman Johnny Webb said, “It’s just to welcome people into Bowling Green who are traveling the interstate and to make people proud that they live here in Bowling Green, Kentucky.”

The ceremony not only honored veterans, but also represented the community coming together to celebrate where they are from.

“Well, it’s not only important to the veterans, but it’s important to the whole community,” said Malcolm Cherry, commander of the American Legion Post 23 in Bowling Green. “It’s just a great honor to see that flag … go up and stay up as you travel the interstates.”

Operation Pride was started 30 years ago by Webb, with the goal of improving the appearance of Bowling Green and its interstates to encourage more visitors.

The flags, city entrances and corridors that Operation Pride has established along I-65 and I-165 help attract travelers and support local businesses.

“When companies are looking to relocate their businesses and they come into Bowling Green, they see this as a clean, welcoming community,” Webb said.