May 28, 2012

While Welcome Home Blog celebrates the amazing homecomings of our service men and women, it is important to remember and honor those who did not make it home.

Here is an extremely touching photograph by Aaron Thompson of a young boy, Christian, receiving an American flag at his father’s service…

Choking back tears, Christian Golczynski accepted the flag from his father’s casket. Photographer Aaron Thompson described this moment as “the most emotionally moving event I may have ever witnessed and may ever witness in my life.”

On March 27, just a few weeks before Marc Golczynski was to return home from his second tour in Iraq — one he volunteered for — he was shot on patrol and killed by enemy fire in al-Aanbar province.

During a moment at the burial, Christian stepped forward to receive the flag for his father. The expression of grief on his young face was captured in a photo and became a powerful symbol for soldiers, their families and anyone who sees it.

When asked about his dad, Christian said, “He was a hero. He helped our country.”