VIDALIA, La. &045; Local families are praying harder than ever as the 1086th Transportation Company, which includes Bunkie, Ville Platte and Vidalia, was deployed in correlation with the war campaign on Wednesday morning.

Liz Brooking, whose nephew, Pfc. Dean Rials, is being deployed, said she is proud of him.

&uot;I’m very proud of him as well as the other folks over there,&uot; said Brooking. &uot;I’m scared for him and the rest of them because we don’t know what they’re going to face over there,&uot; she said.

Brooking also expressed her faith in Rials’ quick return, in the decision to go to war and President Bush.

&uot;I’m very hopeful that he will be back home soon,&uot; Brooking said. &uot;I do believe what their doing is the right thing for the right reasons,&uot; she said. &uot;The main idea I’d like to get across is I’m absolutely behind the president. I’m so especially proud we have a Christian in the White House at this trying time for our nation.

&uot;The main thing I would stress to people is to pray for their loved ones and the right outcome will happen &045; and for the leaders to make the right decisions,&uot; Brookings said. &uot;What happened on 9-11 changed this country but it let’s us know how are other people live in other countries &045; it was a rude awakening.&uot;

&uot;We’re very concerned,&uot; said Donald Bouquet, Rials’ stepfather. &uot;Things aren’t looking like they’re going as well as they should have,&uot; he said.

Bouquet said he agrees with what the U.S. is doing, but &uot;being a father, when your own is involved, your view kind of changes,&uot; he said.

Since the families do not know where their loved ones destination will be they also do not know when they will hear from them again.

&uot;We hope to be able to write letters so we can know he’s safe,&uot; Bouquet said.

John Albert of Houston and formerly of Vidalia, was sent off by many family members who are

praying for him everyday.

Ken Johnson, 16, is Albert’s

nephew. &uot;I feel everything is going to be ok and he’ll be back.&uot; &uot;I love him and wish him the best and I’m praying for him,&uot; he said.

&uot;That’s my baby boy and I love him and pray for him and all the troops,&uot; Albert’s mother, Carrie Albert, said.

&uot;I saw him off yesterday and he said he’d be ok as long as he knew his family would be OK,&uot; Albert said. &uot;He left with a smile on his face.&uot;

Albert also had another son fight in the Gulf War. &uot;All you can do is pray and ask the Lord to bring them back safely,&uot; she said.

Dusty Shenofsky of the Camp Beauregard Office in Pineville said she is not permitted to say when the company was deployed or where they are going until they arrive safely at their destination.