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May 10, 2008 6:33 pm US/Eastern
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Lawrence Unites On Missing Soldiers' Anniversary
LAWRENCE (WBZ) ―
June 12 marks a solemn anniversary for two families of soldiers still missing in Iraq.
Events are planned all day long Saturday in Lawrence in honor of Sgt. Alex Jimenez and Private First Class Byron Fouty.
"It's a heart-wringing, hard thing to deal with on a daily basis," said Fouty's father, Mick Fouty. "Every day, every moment, every second. I get up and cry sometimes. I go to bed crying. I just want my boy home. One way or the other, walk him off the plane or carry him off the plane, I just want my boy home."
Lawrence native Jimenez and Fouty were ambushed during a mission in Iraq on May 12, 2007 when insurgents attacked and overran a checkpoint in a volatile area south of Baghdad.
Another soldier taken hostage with them, Ptc. Joseph Anzac, was later found dead.
"I just pray they're not being torchured or treated in any harmful way," Mick Fouty said.
"I think in my heart and in my mind I see Byron and Alex, again," said Jimenez's father Andy Jimenez.
Doug Bean's nephew Matthew was killed by a sniper's bullet as he and his unit searched for Jimenez and Fouty.
"Not that it's been easy, but it's been easier on our family because we have closure," Bean said. "These families, it's just an unknown."
Saturday's events began with a motorcycle POW honor ride, and included speeches from family members and Congresswoman Nikki Tsongas and Mayor Michael Sullivan. The National Anthem was sung by country singer Jacy Dawn followed by a military flyover of Army helicopters.
The event ends with a church service at 5 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church followed by a candlelight vigil.
The event was personal for members of the Color Guard, including 10th Mountain Division soldiers who served with the missing men.
Staff Sgt. Chris Kunert said it has been a very stressful time since Jimenez and Fouty went missing.
"Very heartwrenching just knowning our comrades are still out there," Kunert said. "The worst part was we had to redeploy and come back to the U.S., and they haven't found them yet."
"It's very emotional. You got a lot going on and you're tired but you've got to do," said SPC Sean Gopaul with the 10th Mountain Division. "You've got to find your comrades. You don't want to leave anyone behind."
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