Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a review of the Pentagon’s policy banning media from taking pictures of flag-draped coffins of military dead. Gates said he wants to make sure privacy concerns and the needs of families can be met. But if they can, he says “the more honor we can accord these fallen heroes, the better.” Gates says he asked for the ban to be reviewed a year ago and was advised then that family members might feel uncomfortable with opening the ceremonies. One concern was that they would feel pressure to attend despite financial costs. But he says taking another look now “makes all kinds of sense.”

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