I would definitely say your feelings are normal. To feel a sense of loss or sorrow WRT someone you never met or barely knew is absolutely a natural and normal thing. I drove my Squadron OC and 2IC to a memorial service almost 2 years ago for the guys the RCR lost in the Afghanistan mine stike. Now, to me, Sgt. Short & Cpl. Beerenfenger were just names I heard on the news as soldiers that lost their lives in Afghanistan. But, at the memorial service, I realized that these were 2 soldiers that were in my Brigade. They lived here in Petawawa and had families. After seeing their relatives at the service, I was very saddened by the fact that these men had to give their lives over there. After arriving in Kabul for Roto 3, each time I passed by the monument to them on the Parade Square, I remembered seeing their families over a year ago, and a sad feeling came each time I went by it. These are 2 men I've never met, but still felt saddened by their departure. My sincerest condolences to their families, your family and your husbands friends family.