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FORT CARSON, COLO. -- Fort Carson mourned the loss of a soldier shot and killed in his home by a burglar.

The mountain post held a memorial service today for 37-year-old Staff Sergeant David Dunlap.

Dunlap and his wife, Whitney, returned to their new home on Bassett Drive on January 14 to find a burglar inside.

The man shot and killed them both.

SSG Dunlap was a helicopter mechanic for the post's 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, which just began arriving in November.

Not a dry eye could be found in the base's Provider Chapel, where soldiers gathered Wednesday.

While seeming composed, Dunlap's best friend, Sgt. 1st Class Bryant Macfarlane said the loss is tough to deal with.

"I keep expecting his goofy smile to come around the corner but it's not happening," he said. "I definitely feel a hole inside of me, a part of me that should be here that isn't here."

He and Master Sgt. Molly McCray travelled with Dunlap and grew close to him during their service. McCray added that the entire brigade is feeling the loss of a strong leader.

"He led his soldiers with compassion and discipline," she said, "We're taking it a day at a time, but we can use who he was as a leader to build us stronger. He's going to be our foundation."

A dedicated soldier, but also a dedicated husband, Dunlap and his wife, Whitney, were just married and recently announced they were expecting a child. It was an announcement that filled his friends with joy, and spread quickly.

"He was so excited," McCray explained, "We would talk all the time about what he would be like as a parent, and what a great family they were going to be."

Macfarlane added that the two met in Virginia and he saw Dunlap's demeanor instantly change. He seemed filled with life, and filled with love that he would certainly spread to his child.

"He cared so much for others it was unreal," Macfarlane said, "The depth of his heart and the compassion he had were unlike anyone I've ever met."

As his closest friends from combat and training remember him fondly, they're comforted to know Dunlap's work and leadership are ensuring his legacy will not be forgotten.

"He was everything an NCO in the army should look up to be. He was a great man," McCray said.

"The training materials he made will train 20-30 years of soldiers in the army. Gnerations have him to thank for their safe homecoming," Macfarlane added.

Dunlap deployed once to Iraq, from June 6, 2007 through Aug. 6, 2008.

He won several awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal.