Photo and caption by Tim Merriman

These U.S. soldiers on their way home from Afghanistan stopped by the Normandy American Cemetery in France, to pay respects to more than 9,000 fallen comrades from World War II. As I watched them lower the flag and carry it away from the cemetery at day's end, my heart rose to my throat. These gentlemen returning from harm's way took extra days to recognize those who will never return home. The price of freedom is paid with the lives of our young people whose hopes and dreams are stolen by war. Old Glory never looks more special than carried with reverence by a soldier.

Location: Port en Bessin, France