COLUMBUS -- Gov. Bob Taft declared Monday, Aug. 8 as an official day of mourning in the state of Ohio, following the deaths of several Ohio Marines in Iraq this week.

"With this week's tragic reports of fallen Ohio soldiers, all Ohioans were reminded of the ultimate price paid by those who fought and died in service for the United States," said Taft.

Sixteen Marines were killed in action this week, all based out of a Brook Park battalion.