I was assigned to the NMCC in the mid 80s. It was a rare day that we didn’t get a report of a loss of aircraft, man lost at sea, or someone killed in a training accident. I was amazed at routine it was to lose personnel and other valuable assets. I don’t know if that’s still the norm, but you are right about the public not knowing about it. Nearly all of the ones I saw reported never appeared in the news. It took a special and spectacular event to get notice.
Yes...it is an odd thing. You know exactly what I mean!