Brian Norwood was startled Wednesday night while watching television when he saw his cousins sitting behind first lady Laura Bush during the president’s State of the Union address.

Norwood, a computer programmer who lives in Lawrence, knew that Bill and Janet Norwood, of Pflugerville, Texas, had lost a son last year in the war in Iraq.

“I figured immediately when I saw them what was probably going on,” Norwood said.

During his speech, President Bush singled out the Texas couple and mentioned that their son, Marine Sgt. Byron Norwood, was killed while fighting in Fallujah. The couple stood to applause. Then, during an especially emotional moment, Janet Norwood hugged an Iraqi woman who also was a guest of the president. The woman, Safia Taleb al-Suhail, is the leader of the Iraqi Women’s Political Council.

Also watching on television were Brian Norwood’s parents, Wes and Doris Norwood of Lawrence. They had been alerted through a phone call from their son. Byron Norwood was Wes’ great-nephew. Byron’s dad, Bill Norwood, is the son of Wes’ late brother, John Albert Norwood.

“We were watching and we were stunned and pleased,” said Doris Norwood, who works in the Douglas County Register of Deeds office. “That was a complete surprise to all of us around here.”

Wes Norwood also was impressed.

“I thought it was quite a good deal,” he said. “I enjoyed it.”

Janet Norwood, right, of Pflugerville, Texas whose son was killed in Iraq last year, shares a hug with Safia Taleb al-Suhail, leader of the Iraqi Women's Political Council, during the State of the Union address at the Capitol in Washington. Several of Norwood's relatives live in the Lawrence area and were surprised to see her at Wednesday night's speech.

The Lawrence area Norwoods said they didn’t know Byron very well, although they had met him at least once or twice over the past 20 years during family gatherings. They had not seen him since he joined the Marines.

Ken Norwood, Lecompton, attended Byron’s funeral.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a Marine’s funeral, but it is really something,” Ken Norwood said.

The Norwoods said Thursday afternoon they had not yet talked with Bill Norwood.

“I think I’ll call him tonight,” Wes Norwood said.

Ken Norwood also planned to make a phone call. “When it’s all over, you still have a son who is gone.”

Byron was in Iraq for his second deployment when he was killed, Brian Norwood said.

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“Both of Byron’s grandfathers were Marines in World War II, so there is a lot of pride there,” Brian said.