On Monday six Marines from Ohio were killed in Iraq, on Wednesday an additional fourteen more.
In this case, the reserve Marine battalion is headquartered in Brook Park, a Cleveland suburb; that is why Ohio has been clobbered with grief this week.
During the Vietnam War, the last time significant reserve units were activated, they served in scattered units, filled in for personnel where they were needed.
There is another, broader answer for Ohioans, "Why us?"
Let's say the United States deteriorated into a brutal dictatorship and France grew tired of the dictator's abuse and killing of Americans, it also didn't trust the dictator with its arsenal of weapons, so it invaded and overthrew the brute.
Fine, although Americans were somewhat embarrassed that they were freed not by their own actions, but by the actions of a foreign people.
Soon the French liberators began to look like French occupiers.
Within a year the rebels had become a sizable force and quite effective at killing the French.
In fact, on one Monday they killed six French Marines, and on Wednesday they killed fourteen more French Marines.
While the French families grieved, the American Freedom Fighters celebrated.
These were mostly Americans making money off the French troops and those who had acquired political power under the foreign occupation, and their extended families.
There is a final answer to the Ohioans, "Why us?"
And that is, the president -- and Ohioans crucial role in electing President Bush.
Twice the majority of Ohioans voted for George Bush; in the second election the Buckeye State determined the victory for the president.
The far Left, along with most Republicans, will fall back upon the tired old line that John Kerry would not have made any difference.