FEBRUARY 18, 2009

Washington, DC – February 18, 2009 –Gold Star military families from across America flooded the office of Families United to voice their opinions on the recently announced review that could lead to overturning the 18-year ban on publishing photos of flag-draped transfer cases at Dover Air Force base. The overwhelming number of responses stemmed from an Action Alert distributed via email Friday by Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission asking family members of fallen heroes to voice their opinion on the current debate on lifting the ban.

Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission represents over 60,000 military families, including Blue and Gold Star Families and veterans. According to the respondents:• 64% believe that the policy should not be changed;• 21% feel if the ban is overturned then the families of the fallen should determine if the media is allowed access on a case by case basis;• 12% of the responses indicated a desire to overturn the policy and allow all flag-draped caskets to be photographed.

“We at Families United are not advocating overturning the current ban, but if the Obama Administration is demanding a change then we strongly believe that the decision to permit media at Dover AFB should be left to the family members of the fallen hero,” said Families United Executive Director Brian Wise. “Over the past few days, we have heard from hundreds of military families who have a wide range of feelings on this issue. Some Gold Star families view the presence of media and photographers as a way to celebrate the life of their hero, while many others question the motives behind media access or understandably want to keep that solemn moment private.”

About Families United for Our Troops and Their MissionFamilies United for Our Troops and Their Mission is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. We are a grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families including some with loved ones in harm's way, Veterans, and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission.