"Being classified as Missing in Action is a terrible burden for his mother and the rest of his family," says Father Edward Rodan-Lucero of the San Juan Diego Church in Montana Vista.

Ruben Estrella-Soto and his family have long been church members in this Far East El Paso community. "They are a family with a lot of faith," says Fr. Rodan-Lucero.

Monday night church members turned out for a special mass for the 18 year old Private, who's been missing since March 23rd, when the 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in An Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Estrella-Soto made a lot of friends at Mountain View High School, where he played football. Many of them were at the mass. "I'm here to support his family," says friend Pablo Chavez. "All his friends are here. We're just wishing for the best and hoping to see him soon."

Army Private Joel Padilla, another friend, is well aware of the dangers of war, but told us "I never thought it was going to be somebody close to me."