A somber reception in Lawrence for body of fallen soldier

Boston Globe - United States

A somber reception in Lawrence for body of fallen soldier
July 25, 2008 01:00 PM

By David Abel, Globe Staff

LAWRENCE -- A procession led by state and local motorcycle police thundered into the city today, carrying the body of Army Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez. Hundreds of people lined the roads as the somber motorcade rolled to his family's home.

Jimenez had been missing in action in Iraq since May 12, 2007. His remains were discovered earlier this month.

The casket arrived this morning at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford and was escorted by police as well as the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder, motorcycle groups that honor fallen veterans, to Jimenez's father's home and then to St. Mary of the Assumption church in the downtown area.

As the motorcade turned off the interstate onto the Howe Street Bridge in Methuen on its way to Lawrence, scores of well-wishers waved American and Dominican flags.

The bridge was decorated in purple and black ribbons to mourn Jimenez. Banners read, "Welcome Home and Thank You For Serving The Army and the USA with Honor, Dignity, Courage, Bravery and Loyalty."

"We're here to honor a hero," said Janet St. Onge, 69, of Methuen, who came with her husband. "I didn't know him, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world. He was such a local hero."

Jimenez, a member of the Army's Tenth Mountain Division, was captured after his convoy was ambushed as it traveled west of Mahmudiyah, Iraq, the military has said.

Four soldiers were killed in the attack. Jimenez was captured along with two other men. The body of one of the others was found later in the Euphrates River. The bodies of Jimenez and Specialist Byron J. Fouty of Waterford, Mich., were found west of Jurf As Sukhr on July 8.

Jimenez's family had agonized over his possible fate, while the Army searched for him and Fouty. The family's hopes were dashed when they learned their remains had been found.

A wake will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today; a funeral Mass is scheduled for noon Saturday at the church.

A second service will be held on Aug. 2 in Long Island, N.Y., where Jimenez's mother lives, before he is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y., said Major Lisa Ahaesy, a Massachusetts National Guard spokeswoman.