We humans never learn...............

These photos , not just to see, they realy make us feel
Sadaya.

The scariest fact is that Jason G. Pautsch (in pic #15) was just a 13 year old boy when Bush decided to invade Iraq.

every war love youngman...

#14 followed by #15 - really brings it home. A casket is an anonymous object. But, show the photo of the person in the casket and it makes the reality of these wars and their effects a lot more obvious.

Well done.

It makes me sick how politicians in the spur of the moment decide to just start a war.
I feel very sorry for relatives of these soldiers. Again the US have scarred a whole generation of there own people and the people of the country they invaded.

A war for economic reasons is NEVER justified, George should answer to his deeds in front of some court.

@ 79
Be careful with your words. These aren't worthless in the least. Less aesthetically pleasing, perhaps, but they serve an important purpose. Look at the debate that has already begun since their posting, this is the humanization of the war toll in the Middle East - something that might not matter to you, but that holds importance for many.

Yes there's an equal and much less documented side of the story - the Iraqi side, but this is a positive step. I think that 8 years later we're just beginning to understand the real consequence of this war. It's natural to feel more effect for the victims on your side of the fight, regardless of your moral affiliation, and that is the value of photos like these. Hopefully the honest disclosure of these circumstances leads us in the right direction.

tres beau documentaire

so beautifull and in the same time very sad ....

I'm a 25 year old indian. I'm feeling very sad to see picture of a 20 year soldier dead in combat. These soldiers died for a good cause, even though the politicians may have had other motives. I think media covergage allows far greater no. of people to pay their respects to the dead and also to appreciate the cause for which they died. May their souls rest in peace.

R.I.P

@Nate: why worse? Because they're not "pretty" ? Pretty is not the goal here.

There is no Glory in War, only Honor!

What a life we bestow upon ourselves. Generation after generation of blood and sacrifice and we continue to sow the seeds of war.

RIP all military and civilians on both sides of this almighty mess, let us hope this ends soon, for our children.

This is the reality of war. Bush/Cheney tried hard to hide these kind of photos from us for years. The photos only show 5 men but there are thousands who never made it back. Rest in Peace fellow Americans. Thank you for your service.

Thank you for handling these in a dignified manner and mostly, thank you for posting image #15. These are the faces that we need to see, we need to know that those are the men in those caskets. My husband is currently serving and I appreciate the renewed sense of outrage and concern that these images bring back to the forefront, where they belong.
God Speed young men. Rest in peace and know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

pedantically, in #3 surely the soldiers are not standing to attention (feet together, arms at their sides) but at ease (feet apart, hands behind back)

I from France !
I want to say RIP for this soldiers who die so phar from their family !

I don't knwo you but The parents should never bury their children !!

I think of you from my little country !

Be strong on this dark situation !

GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED SERVICES.

These brave soldiers defend and secure this great nation, its Constitution and democratic government, and the American people who duly elect leaders and representatives to protect our unique culture and political system. They died doing their job, volunteering for a career that put them in harm's way because the rest of us either chose not to enter military service or were physically unable to do so. I don't care if you're a Republican, Democrat, independent, or anarchist. Men and women like these exemplify the best our society offers---self-sacrifice. They honor us all by their lives and their leadership. May God keep their souls.

Thanks for including in your edit the pictures of those brave soldiers who sacraficed their lives. They were sons, husbands, fathers and friend to those who knew them. Including their pictures humanizes the flag drapped cofins. These images make real the cost of war.
Taimy Alvarez, DOP Sun Sentinel

Welcome Home Heros All!

These pictures took my breath away. I'm a professional pressphotograper used to a lot but I have never witnessed this personally yet.

I am glad that president Obama ended the ban on media coverage of returning war dead and their dignified transfer process. Good to see how that is taking place and also a great document for the families to cling to during mourning

Over here in The Netherlands these pictures are not taken. I do not know if they're forbidden. But the carrying of the coffin throught a lineup of soldiers is always brought on the mayor newschannels. So far our small country lost 19 warriors. May they, and all their fellow warriors all over the world rest in peace.

15 shows the face of war, this could be your brother, your friend or you... it stopped me cold also. RIP.

On March 27, 2009 my father was laid to rest in the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam, Massachusetts. He had served in the U.S. Army in World War II, and was given the burial of a soldier. The ceremony was full of respect and reverence for a man who served his country more than 60 years before. I was truly in awe of the ceremony as I am truly in awe of the pictures just recently being shown of more intrepid, young men and women who died serving their country, my country. A humble thank-you to all the servicemen and women who take the utmost care of those who have given their lives, and even those who served long ago.

I don't know if this is anti-war propaganda but anti-war propaganda is better than pro-war propaganda. The truth is painful but it is important for us, the people, to bear in mind what we have asked these young heroes to do and what they have proudly done for us. There is nothing wrong with state funerals for national heroes.

The movie Taking Chance (with Kevin Bacon) is all about this, and shows everything that goes into transferring a body from the war grounds back to the hometown and the Soldier's family. [Based on real-life events, Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming.]

The movie itself was uneventful, but I thought it was really good. It was nice to see the process of cleaning and transporting the body.

To posters #29, 47 and 79... You must be uneducated or, worse, completely amoral. It is entirely appropriate for an element of the fourth estate to publish the photo essay above.

Poster #22... Your argument is incomplete. Yes, Bush Sr. did ban press coverage of repatriation activities years ago in response to the media's treatment. However, you fail to appreciate that Bush Sr.'s thin skin precipitated a violation of the first ammendment. In the United States, the press has the right to portray political leaders or their actions in any manner they choose, irrespective of the sensibilities of the serving President. Bush Sr. used executive power, under the guise of "protecting the families of the fallen," to muzzle the press.

I applaud the Boston Globe for publishing these photos because I think it's necessary for the American people to see and to deal with the consequences of committing American forces to combat.
The unfortunate result of an all-volunteer force is that the military and the cost of the use of the military has receeded from the public consciousness. Today, other than the immediate families of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen currently serving, most Americans have no visceral or personal interest in the outcome of the current conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. There is no draft, no rationing, no "War Bond" drive, no increase in taxes, no shortage of commodities that have accompanied the long wars of the past. There is only the nightly news and punditry rendering the current conflicts to academic exercises in the eyes of most Americans. The former ban on images of the fallen being repatriated certainly didn't improve the American public's connection with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Poster #41, the Armor Soldier, illustrates perfectly the result of this divide. Here is a soldier who elected to serve his country yet wants no part of the political discourse although he is inextricably linked to the expression of American foreign policy. His plea, "you do your thing; let me do mine" is reflective of the great divide that separates today's military and the American public. Unfortunately, there are too many young men and women serving in the armed forces that similarly think the American public is not terribly concerned with ending these two conflicts as quickly as possibile. These service men and women, the professionals that they are, have reason to believe that it will be them alone that end these conflicts. As a democratic nation, we cannot allow this gulf to persist.

These pictures are important if only to remind the average American of the visceral cost of war but it's not enough.

Such poignant photos.

Over 4000 American soldiers killed. 1,000,000+ Iraqi citizens killed.

god bless our soldiers, service men and women, and their families , for their sacrifices that they make for us, they pay the price for us (regardless of anyones politics).

I am grateful that we are now allowed to see what really goes on when the dignified remains of these brave men and woman come home! My son is one of the many shown in these pictures. I'm one of the lucky parents though, my son is one of the men that greet the dignified bodies! It makes me proud to be able to see what my son does, as well as to be able to put a face and name to those who've given their lives for us all! My sons new wife is also in the Army! I thank you all for fighting for your country! God bless you all and may those still fighting return home safely and soon! Hooah
Brandi

Please respect the sacrifice made by these men. They should be honored by all of us.

I was very surprised at how hard #15 hit me. It is a very profound sadness. I lack the words to describe it well so I will not try.

God bless these men and their families; I cannot imagine the pain that one goes through to lose someone close in war. I truly hope that these photos are not used in a disrespectful manner by anyone.

The service and the sacrifice that you and your family makes EACH AND EVERY DAY to PROTECT AND DEFEND my UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, well, how can WE ever thank you enough? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS A HERO!!!! this USAF family thanks you ....with love and prayers from our HEARTS!!!

My father was a vet and he supported showing the coffins coming home because, as he said, "It's a two-edged sword. If you are proud of sending them to war, then you must give them the same public treatment and honor if they return in a flag-draped coffin."

A sad compilation, but I applaud The Big Picture for this entry.
The feeling that this particular war was wrong and unnecessary makes those pictures even more sad.

R.I.P

This breaks my heart. Thank you for this.

Service and SACRIFICE is a reminder of freedom and is good for Americans to see.

God Bless our Front Lines and God Bless America!

Let's face it BP. More than half of your readers wouldn't think twice about spitting on their flag draped coffins. I have nothing but contempt for your decision to run with these pictures

@#121 Matt: You're wrong. You're letting your political positions twist your thoughts. I know of no Americans, left right or center, who would behave as you post. Hatred curdles the heart, friend; beware.

@29, "Mugros"

Sorry that the death of these soldiers is so bland and boring for you. Did you not see #15?

Matt, (#121), you're right. I wouldn't think twice about spitting on their flag-draped coffins. In fact, until you mentioned it, the thought never even crossed my mind!

The Devil laughs and God cries because Humans have done more evil to each other in Their Names than They could have dreamed of.

I thank the families that allowed these photos, and the Big Picture for posting them.

There should be no pictures of our fallen brothers and sisters posted in any newspaper or magazine in this country. It is not the publics buisness to see the transfer cases of a fallen soldier, sailor, marine or airmen. Especially because more than half of this ungrateful, spoiled, loudmouthed, countries public would protest in the faces of the very soldiers they want to see in a coffin given the chance. Let the honored dead of this country and their family's have the privacy that they have earned which is more than anyone who hasnt worn the uniform.

Do any of you believe for a second that the media wants to show these images to HONOR the American soldier? What they want are images that represent American military losses. I find it very hard to believe that the New York Times or NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN et al are slobbering over these images and feel pride. They've hated the military since Vietnam and have had a hard-on ever since to see dead American soldiers. These images, to the media, do not represent honor or pride or gratitude. They represent the death of something they hate: American soldiers.

"It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it."

General Robert E. Lee

I'm sorry for all those guys and my condoleances to their families. Truly.
But, What a shame ! Those guys died for nothing, fighting far from home. The cost of that is speechless, and even their come back is a waste. Money, fuel, troops, beautiful flag, honor, dignity... What for ?
During the same time, afghans or Iraqis are slautered with big guns, and buried in a communal grave and nobody care. This is just so f*** unfair.
And during the same again, US soil, some guys are dying on the sidewalk too...

very moving pictures, these guys are so young, much too young to die...
thank you

#41 re: Armor soldier April 15, 09 03:07 PM

Thank you sir for your service to our country & your comments.

To 62 from a mother: There is not just war at all. To stop these pictures you MUST be anti-war. If you are not anti-war, nor pro-war your are nothing, therefore, you don´t have to remember nothing as cost, bla, bla, honor, bla, bla, sacrifice, bla, bla, glory, bla, bla, bla. These young men should be at home going to school or college and, having good times with friends and family. By no means giving their blood for the benefit or security of anybody. President Obama wants us to see what has being hidding from us for a long time. Stop this war!!!!

What a well done documentary...truely an honor to the Fallen and so overwhelmingly sad!
Rest in Peace you brave Men...

Sad pictures but don't forget those innocents killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Just because they don't have cameras and because they're hastily buried without any "dignified process" still makes them humans just like these kids.

Bring the troops home. It's a lost war, there's no use being stubborn.

Rest in Peace Brave Heroes.

thank you.

A grim reality of a un-needed conflict. Shouldn't forget that its even more grim for the other side who aren't privilaged for the "dignity".
The pain and loss is so unnecessary.

i cried.

Wow. This just reminds me how thankful I am that these Men and Women are fighting in my place. And that they willingly signed up for this role. That's what makes The United States so great! - Thank you to all those who have served and who continue to serve our Great Country!

As a Vietnam veteran, I have the utmost respect for these brave soldiers and marines who gave their lives for their country. However, their former commander in chief should be held accountable for his duplicity in getting us involved in this illegal, immoral war to begin with. The Iraq war was a war that should never have been fought. It is totally appropriate that we should honor the fallen, but it is imperative that we also hold politicians accountable for their misdeeds. Otherwise, we will have learned nothing.

God bless all those who serve.

Sad. The HBO movie with Kevin Bacon was good.

#7

The notes address the soldier as a AIRMAN, but infact he is a Staff Sargent, Look @ the stripes. My brother in law is in the Air Force.

War is horrible, but inevidable. Freedom isn't Free!!!

- in God I Trust!!

I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

It's sad to know, what they died for. American soldiers shouldn't be in the iraq.

May these soldiers all rest in peace, soldiers. Thanks for sharing.

I don't know why you are proud to be Americans when 5 000 of your young people have died and over 20 000 have been injured in a war that didn't need to happen. I feel shame that I didn't do more to protest it from Australia when I see these pictures of young men being sacrificed for the lies and egos of politicians.

DULCE ET DECORUM EST
By Wilfred Owen, soldier killed shortly before the end of WWI

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.

I am mexican, but my baby girl is american and the pictures hurt my soul, my heart, really, hurtme so deep. she said is a proud american and only can think are you very inocent my sunchine.

My brother-in-law served in the first Gulf War and in the second. I don't think he regretted his service, but he did question why we were there. That said, he would have done anything for his unit, and he did his best to support the (good) people and kids in the villages around his base. I think it's appropriate to show and honor their homecoming, either alive, or in one of these terribly sad and beautiful coffins; and I am grateful for the care and dignity bestowed by the carry team and the rest of the forces at Dover and the other bases. May we transfer power to Iraq as soon as we honorably can, and bring more men and women home safely.

My husband is about to leave for his 3rd deployment to Iraq. God, I wish he didn't have to go. One of the men in the pics on #15 was my husband's friend. It makes me feel sad to think that this could be my reality. It could be my husband. It actually has me panicked inside. Yet, there is nothing I can do about it. I pray every day that God will keep him safe and bring him home.
To the soldiers in these pics,
I am so sorry you had to lose your life. Thank you for your sacrifice! You will be missed.

I Salute our heroes! May they rest in peace now. Bring the boys back home...

I am so very proud of our troops! What courage it must take to be willing to die for your country at such a young age. You are all great heros and I pray every night that you will all come home safely. We are extremely lucky and privleged to have all of you on our side. May God walk with each and everyone of you and my God bless each of your mothers for their sacrifice!

Sorry it had to be your sacrifice guys. Such good people inside and out.

God Bless You All. Thank You For You did. God Bless Your Family.

I'm glad that President Obama has returned to the families of the dead the right to say whether or not these photos can be shown. I think it it should be up to them to make that decision, not the military and most definitely not the government, the previous incarnation of which banned such display purely for political reasons.

I also think it's important that the American people get to see more of this side of war. We need to understand the full consequences of what is being done in our name.

As a solider and a spouse to a soldier, I find it vital to maintain these fallen commrades in the public eye to allow the acknowledgement and respect they deserve. Todays society hold drug infested movie stars and sports players with a higher social standard than the military, police, firemen, and medic staff that works hard to educate themselves in order to enhance the lives of people whom they would have never met otherwise. Thankyou for the pictures and hopefully more will come including those of the hard work these fine military personnel do alive. Thankyou for the unselfish act to volunteer in the military no matter what branch and thankyou for setting the standard for the rest of America on what it means to be a professional.

It is right to HONOR our American Solidiers who served us so well so we do not have to. War IS NOT over and the pictures depict a true reality. Not showing it just allows people to forget. We should not forget. #149, have Faith, be strong. Love him with ALL your heart. GO USA!!! We all love you~

Photos that tell the story are vital.

I am not a fan of American international policy. But that is not what the pictures are about. The placement of these pictures with words in an article can twist them to tell stories as the editor of the magazine or newspaper chooses. But the photos can also (and should) stand on their own.

The arguments that these are not good photos does not automatically stand up. They are unrepeatable given their context. These are the first photos of this repatriation in 18 years. That makes them relevant. A kid with a cell phone camera and no experience of photography taking photos of these pictures (if s/he were the only one doing so) would make those pictures newsworthy.

All photography is about the moment, journalistic photography even more so. A good photojournalist is one that marries the capture of the dramatic moment with good composition and a powerful image. But the moment is what counts. If I take a beautifully composed image after the event, and someone takes a poorly composed image of the event, the poorly composed is going to be published most of the time.

So to the detractors, neither the argument that the photos are bland, nor that the photos are irrelevant hold water.

In Canada a unique grassroots ceremony has sprung up that allows ordinary citizens an opportunity to honour our war dead. The bodies of our war dead from Afghanistan are flown into CFB Trenton and transported from there to the medical coroner's office in Toronto, about a 2 hour trip along Highway 401 (since renamed Highway of Heroes). All along the HOH people from all walks of life gather on the overpasses to salute their fallen heroes and try to make the families accompanying their loved ones know that they are not alone. You can see a short clip on this here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oe-g2cWpvU&feature=related

Some truly moving images.
My thoughts and best wishes go to all servicemen/woman.

RIP
Mike
London UK

As any American, I am moved by the images displayed and cannot begin to express my gratitude for the men and women without whom this country could not endure. While viewing this photo array, I could not help but wonder if the same dignity and respect was delivered to the thousands of others passing through this location to their final resting space were recipients of the same level of ceremony afforded the photographed and documented arrivals appearing in this piece....

For Australians and new Zealanders, it is appropriate that this is posted in April (google for Anzac Day).

This could be about the men and women of ALL nations who risk, and in many cases sacrifice, their lives all round the world.

how many people kill for finish this war???
beautiful and terrible photo.....
RIP

people who have been assasinated in wars they have gone to endless journey.we should proud of them. it makes us think about army and their sacrifieses forever.
we always live in entertainment world ,we do our jobs,get money and enjoy whatsoever we want. but really,to be a part of army and always ready for death on behallf of countrymen is very proudy thing .we should think about those soldiers who have left their progeny after them to servive .my great country and great soldiers.

I am proud to be an American. I am proud to have an American soldier in my family. I am fearful though, that he may come home this way. I pray everyday for his and all of our American soldier's safety. My nephew does not tell me much about his job on the rare occassions that we get to talk but I know he is always in harms way. All we can do is keep the faith that he and all of them will come home safe.

Lest we forget.

Thank you and RIP.

May the Road Rise to met You.
May the Wind be always at your back.
May the rain fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

The photo's are of reality, make us reflect on life, that it is way to short.
Weather you are a private person or public person. The justifiable honor, these photo's protray and capture, are true and larger than life.
I am pleased that Presidant Obama, lifted that ban from Bush, of displaying photo's of our protectures, that put their lives on the line, so our mundane lives at home carry on. It is not our fight, yet we always seem to cover the politians that mess-up and can not handle business correctly.

The orginal photo that started this ban, (under Bush) the coffins, in the ARMY transport plane, will always be an imagine in my brain. That was one OUTSTANDING photo and congrads to the photo journlist that took it.

May goodspeed on the return of all soldiers safety and the angels lift you out of harmsway.

Rest in Peace, i salute your bravery.

Descansen en paz estos bravos soldados que dieron su vida por la libertad de los demas.

I am from the Netherlands, Europe, with always a strong sympathy for the US Militairy.

It is with sorrow that I look at these pictures and hope their death's wont be in vain. That it served a higher goal then that we can forsee now.

May they rest in peace

This is so sad - so young!

Young brave guys.
May God bless their Souls.
Bless their family and loved-ones too.

With these pictures, we can all hold a tear on the edge of our eye, not just the profoundly affected. We all should share in the tragedy and with respect for each child - parent - sibling - friend returned to our soil.

We thank GOD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST that President Obama has lifted up this ban and one can see the number of deaths. Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights gives freedom to the Press. Imagine this had been curtailed by the Commander-in-chief and his cohort. Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Also watch the video LOOSE CHANGE. Read THE NEW PEARL HARBOR by David Ray Griffin. You can see this copy on scribd.com

Sons of the Lord of War, living images of Almighty God, ruler of the Universe forever and ever

Live, thou Beloved Spirits, and mayst thou spend uncountable millions of years, thou Brethren of the Sword, sitting with thy faces to the north wind, and thine eyes beholding felicity.

Mayst Thou rest among the imperishable stars!!
Mayst Thou rest among the unwearying stars!!

my dad is in the army and has been to war and just seeing these pictures makes it seem more real to me that i could lose him as he goes into his second term in the war.......

No words could describe what these pictures show - dignity, bravery, sacrifice, love of a free country, As a Viet Nam era veteran i applaud BP for these pictures.

good men we will c u again,,,never forget

As someone who grew up in the Netherlands during the German occupation, I know how the Iraqi people feel, having been liberated by the American troops from that awful despot. (like we were liberated from Hitler by American and Canadian troops). I'm an old, voting American now and LOVE the American troops. They love their fellowmen enough to VOLUNTEER and know the dangers beforehand.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifices.
God bless you all and God bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i hate war!

I was and always will be an infantry Marine, and the sacrifice of these brave ones are not to be in vain until the job is done and after that can they who gave every last measure of devotion can rest in peace , I consider all those that have served or who are serving in any branch my brothers and sisters in arms. As a Cold War veteran I respect all that are in this conflict and I pray for my fellow grunts out there every day with death tugging at his arm and may God Protect YOU All!!!!!

With respect, the question is: why these men are dying in iraq?

To #145, we say we are proud not because they died but because they stood up and followed the orders given them. They did not run nor did they hide. 99% would agree that we should not be there no need there. It is what it is. I find it sad to wake up every morning knowing another soldier will be taken off a plain, shoved into a cargo van, taken to be processed and stuck into a hole. When our loved ones leave we can only hope and pray that we are lucky enough to have them another day. I do the best I can to do what needs to be done and keep busy with one thing or another. This life is a hard one and most give up and leave. Yes my husband signed on the dotted line. That does not mean he should be talked about or treated in a nasty manner. Many people forget that the right to talk such nastiness is given to you daily be the men and women fighting and loosing their lives. Support the war or not ( I dont) but please always support the soldiers and their families even is it is just with a smile. Our lives are like yours, please treat us as so.
Thank you , the wife of SGT DANIEL SMITH
UNITED STATES ARMY
FORT DRUM, NEW YORK