It is one of the most gut-wrenching images of war—flag-draped coffins carrying the remains of United States soldiers who have died for our county. They are sobering images that no one wants to see, and for years, these images have been censored in an attempt to protect the privacy of grieving family members. But in keeping with Obama’s theme of transparency, his administration has changed the policy that has stood through both Republican and Democratic administrations.

For the past 18 years, the Pentagon has held a strict policy that members of the media could not photograph or record the coffins of fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Few exceptions have been made, including an exception under the Clinton administration for the return of Navy seamen killed during the attack on the USS Cole in December 2000.

But on Feb. 26, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced he was lifting the 1991 government ban. The decision, though controversial, may give Americans one last chance to remember and honor our fallen soldiers.

While some people believe the moments in which coffins are unloaded from the bellies of planes is a deeply private time for military families, most agree with the Pentagon’s decision to lift the ban. The Pentagon has said the new policy will allow media coverage, but the decision will ultimately be left up to the families of the fallen soldiers. If the family does not want media coverage, it will not be allowed. But on the contrary, if families don’t mind, members of the media will be able to photograph and record the somber moments when the flag-draped coffins are deplaned.

For military families who have lost loved ones in combat, seeing the remains carried off military planes at Dover Air Force Base is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult moments they will endure. By allowing the media to photograph and record these images, they are sharing their grief with the nation.

Instead of looking at this decision as a way to promote propaganda and exploit emotional family members, it is important to see this decision as an opportunity to remind the American people of the ultimate sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform. Our soldiers take an oath to honor their uniform, protect their country and face fear, danger and adversity. This is an opportunity for us to pay respect to them for doing exactly that.

The Obama administration has promised to bring change to this country, but right now it is important to remember that one thing hasn’t changed: Soldiers continue, with courage, loyalty and honor, to fight and die for this country. It is important for Americans to see these images and remember all that these fallen soldiers have fought for. By allowing families to have the final say about media coverage, the administration has worked to show that freedom of the press can coincide with respect for military families grieving the loss of their loved ones.