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Rep. Burton Seeks Cosigners on Letter to the President Regarding Presidential Letters of Condolence to Military Families

Washington, Dec 16 -

Recently, the White House announced that it was reviewing the long-standing policy that prevents President Obama from sending a condolence letter to families of service members who have committed suicide.  A Presidential letter of condolence is as much about respect for the personal loss that a family experiences as it is about an acknowledgement by our nation that we have lost a soldier.  Whether a soldier died in combat, in a car accident, or because of suicide, nothing diminishes the personal sacrifices each family endured on our country’s behalf, while their son or daughter, husband or wife, served in uniform.  But, the lack of acknowledgment and condolence from the President, the Commander-in-Chief, can leave these families with an emotional vacuum and a feeling that somehow their sacrifices may not have been as great or may not have been seen as equal.  Rep. Burton asks you to join him in sending a letter to the President asking him to overturn this outdated policy that discriminates against certain military families and helps perpetuate the stigma associated with mental illness even within our Armed Forces.