Zinna, I know there's a tradition of gun ownership and military service in rural America, but that's not the whole story. Sure some of us have a certain comfort level with guns, but the old story of hillbilly sharpshooters is probably more myth than reality. Sgt York is not representative of rural American. Rural Americans are plenty patriotic, but a big factor is the failing rural economy. Outsourcing factory and mill jobs has hit harder in rural America than anywhere. With fewer jobs rural folks are competing with their neighbors for minimum wage fast food jobs. Better paying jobs are often hours away from where we live, causing hours of daily travel just to keep food on the table. This situation, as they say, is a "tough road to hoe" for people facing the hard facts of a failing rural economy. At the same time, we see the military offering bonuses and tuition help, (very little tuition help) but we can see how rural Americans would view the military as a viable way to make a living. Jim Webb talks about this in his book Born Fighting. Webb believes rural Americans are becoming a "Warrior Caste". I tend to believe it's true, with generation after generation of young rural Americans following in their father's footstep into the military. Something not talked about very much is the fact many rural Americans use the National Guard as a part-time job. Subsequently, we often see two generations, father and son in the same Guard unit. Now these Guard units are being called up in record numbers. These units are often poorly supplied and ofter don't have the latest in up-armored vehicles and weapons. It's a complicated story and I haven't told it all, but for sure we're seeing more and more rural Americans turning to the military not just for patriotic reasons but as a way to solve their family economic difficulties.

perhaps more helpful if # breakout reflected rural deaths within each state, rather than overall per capital density of each state, since as you know, large & populated states also have rural expanses. certainly, one does not diminish the death or sacrifice sustained by any state, whether it totals 384, 320 or 19... nor for that matter urban, suburban or rural. a more complete posting/study would also include a breakout by socio-economic standing and educational levels/opportunities as you appear to imply, but the scope of study did not cover, i surmise.