“We are a family, 6,000-plus strong,” said Maj. Gen. James Seward, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard. “And so, when we lose one of our family members, I can tell you that every guardsman I’ve talked to is grieving.”

In the case of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, the family of those grieving her death extends across the Mountain State, as does those praying for the recovery of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was also shot during an attack in Washington, D.C., last Wednesday.

But the initial shock of that horrific event has rightly evolved to include a desire to know as much as possible about what happened. What were West Virginia National Guard members doing in our nation’s capital to begin with? Further, what was the task that had kept Beckstrom and Wolfe (among approximately 170 others) in harm’s way at least until Dec. 31?

“I’m confident in their ability. I remain confident in their ability,” Seward said. “In briefings with senior law enforcement officials in the district this week, I will tell you dozens of them have told me — those involved in the investigation — that our members performed their duties as they have been trained, and they are proud of them.”

Of course they did. None of these individuals would have accepted anything less from themselves.

But what is being asked of them? What made them a target?

Lawmakers are right to be seeking answers.

“Respectfully, West Virginians deserve to know whether this deployment was designed primarily for public safety or whether our Guard was assigned work far outside its traditional responsibilities while putting themselves in harm’s way,” Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, asked Monday.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has emphasized that these Guard members were volunteers.

“I made the decision to have the word come down that we would ask the people if they wanted to volunteer. There was never any pressure. This was done so that if people wanted to stay and fulfill the mission, they could,” Morrisey said. “I was pleased to report that between about 160 and 170 people had asked to do that. And so that’s why I emphasized that. These are people that knew the mission. They agreed with the mission. I think the mission has been largely successful, and they wanted to serve their state, and they wanted to serve their country.”

Again. Of COURSE they did.

What is important now is thorough transparency about that mission. What was it? Why was it necessary? And why were West Virginia National Guard members required to get that job done?