Photo of the Day

August 13, 2017

Watchfire

A Memorial Day Watchfire burns in Syracuse, New York. Your Shot photographer Stefani Reynolds explains the practice: "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." This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
Photograph by Stefani Reynolds, National Geographic Your Shot
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