Suicide has become a growing problem for members of the military, given their often harrowing work in Iraq and Afghanistan. So a group of 11 senators is asking President Barack Obama to send notes of condolence to families of military personnel who take their own life,
Politico reports.
The group of 10 Democrats and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., sent a letter to Obama Wednesday making the request.
"It is long past time to overturn this hurtful policy," Sen. Barbara Boxer, Calif., wrote in the letter.
It states that more than 1,100 military personnel committed suicide between 2005 and 2009 — for an average of one every 36 hours.
The Obama administration has been considering its policy on the issue since 2009, and the senators hope to force action.
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