My condolences on your loss.
I have one who's a Marine and already spent a tour in Afghanistan. Another who is already committed to the Navy and is in medical school, and a third who just completed their first year of NROTC.
I'm proud of them and their service, but as I'm sure you can appreciate, I'm happiest when they come home. People can't begin to understand how upsetting 6-12 month deployments can be.
It is hellish. I can’t even imagine being hundreds of feet underwater for months on end.
Tell your children that there are many of us out there who respect and value their service and sacrifice.