The White House is inviting only military families to its annual Easter egg party.
Spokesman Ari Fleischer said Friday the guest list for the event, normally open to the public, is more appropriate for the situation this year and reflects the need for greater security.
Usually some 40,000 people line up to watch the youngsters in the crowd roll eggs down the White House lawn. But the war in Iraq has forced changes in the more than century-old tradition.
Mr. Fleischer says this year about 12,000 active duty personnel, reservists and their families will take part in the festivities.