FORT LEWIS, Wash. – When Brenda Long saw the black berets at her front door, she realized her life had forever changed.

Soldiers had come to deliver the message that her husband -- Staff Sergeant Brian Long – had been killed in action by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol near Baghdad.

He was one of three Stryker soldiers killed Sunday.

"I thought church people were coming to my house. Because they parked at the corner of the neighbor's yard. And then when I saw the black berets. I knew," said Brenda Long.  "They don't come to tell you that your husband's hurt."

The 32-year-old spent most of his adult life in the military and was a leader in his Stryker brigade.

"He's not a glory hound" Brenda said. "But he was proud to do his job. And his job was to help train these guys and make sure they knew what to watch out for."

Brenda and Brian, who made a home in Roy, Wash., were childhood sweethearts that grew up in a small town outside Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In the Army since 1993, Brian transferred to Fort Lewis more than seven years ago.

This was his second tour to the Middle East. Brenda says he knew the risks.

"It's okay for a soldier to die," Brenda said. "It's not fair. It's not easy. Life's not easy."

But these will be unimaginably difficult times for the family, including one-year-old Sage. Nine-year old Sydney and 3-year old Shelby already know that something bad has happened to their father.

"I have three kids to raise now," Brenda said. "On my own. I will be strong for them. And on my time I will deal with my feelings and my stuff. But for them I will be strong."

While back home last October for two weeks of R & R, Brian made recordings of himself reading bed-time stories for his children.

His children can watch the recordings again and again. They're now a treasured keepsake.

"Brian might not be here in body, but he's here in soul and spirit," Brenda said. "And my kids will know that. They will always know that their dad is here."

Brian was set to come home in October.