16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Memorial Day Watchfire

After a battle, there was an age-old tradition of building a large fire, in the hopes that it would guide lost soldiers back to where they needed to be. Today, the Memorial Day Watchfire honors that tradition and those who served by respectfully retiring American flags that can no longer be used.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2017
Date Uploaded: 08.2018
Photo Location: Syracuse, New York, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T5i
Copyright: © Stefani Reynolds