The Chronicle Telegram in Elyria, Ohio

Doing penance in letters to military families

U S Representative Walter Jones in North Carolina continues his ritual of writing personal condolence letters to families of fallen soldiers. He began after voting for the Iraq war in 2002 and now sends letters to relatives of service members killed in Niger and other conflicts. Jones preserves a black ink fountain pen used since 2003 and seeks military liaison approval before sending letters. He recalls Marine Sgt. Michael Bitz’s funeral as his turning point and notes the impact of his actions on families and public accountability.