We can’t think of better news than plans for members of the 1086th Transportation Company, a local unit of the Louisiana Army National Guard, to come home before Christmas this year.

The troops apparently have orders to be home in the next two to four weeks. They have been serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since February.

Forty of the Bunkie-based unit’s 140 members are from Vidalia. The members are some of the many local soldiers who have served or are still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The plans for the 1086th’s return come as daily attacks on troops in Iraq remain steady, including the tragic loss of 16 soldiers over the weekend when a helicopter was shot down. We receive daily reports of attacks, even though President Bush declared &uot;major combat&uot; over months ago. Just Wednesday five Americans were wounded in attacks in Mosul, a city considered relatively safe for U.S. troops compared to other cities in the country.

We can’t imagine the fear the friends and family of our soldiers must feel as they hear of these daily reports, but we know they also must be proud of their sons’ and daughters’ service.

And when the members of the 1086th finally come home, we’ll be glad to join in the welcome celebration.

In the meantime, we will keep praying for them and for all of the soldiers who are serving overseas.