White House shifts condolence letter rule

WASHINGTON -- Acknowledging the mental strains wrought by America's decade at war, the Pentagon and the White House said they will now send condolence letters to families of troops who commit suicide in a combat zone.

The policy shift brings a bit of consistency to the long-standing practice of top U.S. leaders recognizing the service of those who died while fighting for their country. Until now, many of the military service chiefs and secretaries wrote to families of those who committed suicide. But in most cases, the president and secretary of defense did not.

Mental health and troop advocacy groups welcomed the change but said those who die outside war zones also should be recognized and that more should be done to prevent suicide among service members.

"This issue is emotional, painful and complicated, but these Americans served our nation bravely. They didn't die because they were weak," President Barack Obama said. "And the fact that they didn't get the help they needed must change." -- AP