Neighborhoods across the city are marking the nation’s birthday early.

On Wednesday, the Bent Tree Homeowners Association began placing American flags in front of residences and tying yellow ribbons at each of the four entrances into the Bent Tree neighborhood.

Debbie Robinson, vice president of the homeowners association in Bent Tree, said the flags and ribbons are intended to honor American soldiers who have served or are serving around the world and to celebrate the July 4 holiday.

“We’re supporting the troops who are still fighting,” said Robinson, the mother of two sons in the National Guard who recently returned from a combat tour in Iraq. “We have military veterans in our neighborhood going back to World War II.”

Small American flags were placed in front of the approximately 210 homes in the neighborhood, beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing this morning.

A large yellow ribbon signifying support for troops serving during wartime was to be tied around the 350-year-old white oak tree at the main entrance into the neighborhood.

Homeowners association president John Strode said this was the second year Bent Tree has celebrated the July 4 holiday in this fashion.

“We want to do it to pay our respects,” said Strode, an Army veteran who was stationed in South Korea during the Vietnam War and whose brother fought in that war. “Our veterans preserve everything in life that we hold very dear.”

A similar gesture is taking place in Hunters Crossing off Elrod Road, where residents are putting up American flags in front of their homes.

Hunters Crossing Neighborhood Association president Paul Blick said that in the past, the association had sold American flags to residents for July 4 as a fundraiser. This year, however, residents have the option of buying flags elsewhere or simply displaying the ones they purchased last year.

Shelly Van Meter, a Hunters Crossing resident, said that the displays help bring neighbors together in a spirit of patriotism.

“It’s absolutely beautiful when you drive down Shetland Drive and see the flags lining the street,” Van Meter said.

The flags are expected to remain on display throughout the weekend in each neighborhood.