WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will begin allowing media coverage of the return of American war dead to U.S. shores beginning next month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday, as long as families of the fallen agree.

As the Obama administration lifts the 18-year ban on news coverage, the Pentagon also announced that it will arrange and pay for families of deceased soldiers, seamen, airmen and Marines to travel to the Delaware military base where remains arrive from overseas.

President Barack Obama had asked for a review of the ban, and Gates has said that the blanket restriction made him uncomfortable. Last month, he said he would let families decide for themselves whether to allow photographs, and Wednesday’s announcement filled in many of the details.

“The overriding principle is the decisions about media coverage should be made by those most affected — the families,” Gates said Wednesday. He choked up when relating a recent trip to Dover.

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