In the first week of August 2005, 20 soldiers from the Ohio-based Marines 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, were killed in a series of ambushes in Iraq. The news of some of the greatest mass casualties in the war thus far sent shockwaves throughout Ohio, as 14 of the 20 killed where Ohio natives. Memorial services took place at the company's headquarters, the Col. Justice M. Chambers U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center in Brookpark, and elsewhere around the state all through August, as Ohioans grieved over their losses.

Mixed in with this grief was a certain feeling of outrage and doubt that—although not outwardly visible among the tears, flag waving and hands over hearts—was on the tongues of many who wept for their loved ones or supporters who came to show their respects. They sought answers about what President Bush deemed the "noble cause" for which their child, spouse, parent, sibling, neighbor or classmate sacrificed their lives in Iraq. Many people who were formerly in favor of the war suddenly found themselves questioning the U.S. operations and strategy in Iraq. Pro-war or anti-war, chants of "bring our troops home" grew louder.

Media outlets noted the Ohio casualties in coincidence with Cindy Sheehan and her Camp Casey protests as major events of the summer that signaled a certain shift in the public opinion about the war. Meanwhile, the war machine rolled on, and by the end of 2005, total U.S. casualties had surpassed 2,100 with no end in sight.