The remains of fallen Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers were returned to the United States on Sunday. Members of his family and about 40 journalists were on hand when the charter aircraft carrying his remains touched down at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Although this ritual has been carried out more than 5,000 times since the start of the war in Afghanistan in 2001, this was the first time in 18 years that the American news media had been allowed to cover the return of a fallen U.S. service member. Myers' widow was the first, under a new Pentagon policy, to be asked if she wished to have media present for her husband's final return. Her decision allowed the public to see a side of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the nation has not yet seen in recent years.

Myers was killed in a roadside bombing near Helmand province, Afghanistan. A member of the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, he had been awarded a Bronze Star a year ago in recognition for his efforts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 30 years old.

Video of this transfer is gripping. One is struck by the solemnity of the event — the crisp movement of the carry team, the flag-draped transfer case and the absolute stillness as Myers' remains are moved from the aircraft to a white panel truck for transfer to the base mortuary. News reports said seven family members watched the truck until it was out of sight. One man among them cried into a tissue.

There is nothing quite like military rites to convey the concept of sacrifice — service to one's country and its military. It brought me back to my father's funeral, although he was an 80-year-old World War II veteran who had lived a very full life.

Watching this video, I was filled with gratitude for the sacrifices of all generations of American service members.

But there was a sense of bewilderment, too, as I've read about Afghanistan's proposed laws that would codify Shiite Muslim guidelines that insist obedience, readiness for intercourse and not leaving the house without the permission of the husband are "duties of the wife." Critics say the law legalizes spousal rape and imposes laws even more restrictive than the Taliban regime.

President Barack Obama calls the laws regarding women "abhorrent." Yet, when pressed for further comment, he said the primary reason American troops are in Afghanistan is to protect Americans from terrorist attack. Improving conditions in Afghanistan is a commendable goal, he said.

It is difficult, as a person with thoroughly modern Western sensibilities, to comprehend such laws. It is mind boggling to read comments of educated Afghan women in their 20s who believe it is a man's right to tell women where to go and what to do.