You say it well.
I don't care why a person eats the way they eat, it's low on my list of life-priorities, however I respect that people have the right to choose how to eat and if that's vegan or anything else that's ok by me. However...yes, we need to accept that food production, any food production almost (probably) always comes at the loss of life in some way as you have intelligently mentioned. It's naïve to think otherwise I believe. I mean...a vegan driving to the vegan restaurant in their car...They didn't run over any ants? A silly example, but a point nonetheless.
I think people should believe it what they do though, and whilst being realistic (pragmatic) is also my thing, I understand that people need to hold onto their beliefs if they are to have passion and conviction in their lives. Unfortunately, there are those who believe in such things that cause others great harm, terrorists for instance, but it is belief all the same, right or wrong. Humans are weird, amazing, smart and stupid...
When they are offered meat, they will accept it and eat it, for it would be wasteful not to, but they will say a silent prayer of thanks to the animal.
It is no different to when I shoot something. It's not in my nature to enjoy killing and I've never enjoyed it...if I did I would know it was time to stop. Respect is always given in the same way as you mention above. It's the least I can do.