The government is wrong in trying to keep the public from seeing flag-draped coffins of America's war dead as they are brought home for burial. Casualties are the cost of war, and by trying to downplay that cost, the government is demeaning the sacrifice.

The more the government objects to the dissemination of the pictures, the greater will be the public anger and suspicion over the secrecy.The impact of seeing coffins should not become politicized, but this could happen if the situation is not handled properly. Neither presidential candidate John Kerry or President George Bush should use any images of those who have fallen as political props, whether they are on a cargo plane at Dover or being carried from the remains of the World Trade Center after 9-11.

We understand the Pentagon's longstanding policy of prohibiting media coverage of the remains coming into Dover Air Force Base. During the Vietnam War, the endless images of body bags coming home became unbearable and eventually helped turn the public against the war. But this is different.

The young men and women who have fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq are part of an all-volunteer military. They gave the ultimate sacrifice and deserve to be honored by all Americans. Controversy over photos emerged last week when a Web site published 361 government photos of war dead being brought home and laid to rest. The pictures were obtained by activist Russ Kick, who filed a Freedom of Information Act request. Also, a military contractor fired a cargo worker and her husband after a photo of flag-draped caskets she took were published in the Seattle Times. An angry Defense Department has clamped down on the release of any more photos. This is a mistake. The pictures published in Seattle and on Kick's Web site are not disrespectful; they are not ghoulish or exploitive. What they show are the coffins of brave Americans being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Viewing the pictures inspires sadness, but also a profound sense of humility.

So far more than 700 U.S. troops have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the Thursday death of former pro football player Pat Tillman. There will surely be more casualties. All of them are heroes.

Bringing them home under the flag of their country brings closure to their sacrifice. The government should allow us that image.