All of the 50 states but one, Delaware, have lost National Guard troops in the U.S. war on terror. Pennsylvania has suffered the highest number of losses — 31 of a total of 480 Guard deaths since Sept. 11, 2001. North Dakota’s 13 deaths are the highest per capita in the country.
In an unprecedented show of support for the troops, state legislatures throughout the country are recognizing their service with a variety of benefits. “Over the past five years since 9/11, states have dramatically increased benefits they provide to Guard members at state level,” said John Goheen, director of communications for the National Guard Association, a nonprofit group. “There is a heightened level of appreciation of what these men and women are giving up.” Read More

Russell Heimlich  is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.