LAWRENCE — It's been nearly a year since Sgt. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence and his comrade, Pfc. Byron Fouty, were captured during an ambush in Iraq.
On Saturday, the Merrimack Valley will remember Jimenez and Fouty, of Waterford, Mich., with a motorcycle run featuring members of Rolling Thunder, speakers, a Mass and a vigil. The two soldiers disappeared May 12, 2007.
"We want to honor them for their sacrifice, and most importantly, that there is still hope they will come home," said Jim Sereigo-Wareing, founding director of New England Caring for Our Military.
The highlights of the event include a military flyover, a color guard from Fort Drum, N.Y., where the men were once stationed, and country singer Jacy Dawn performing the national anthem.
Jimenez and Fouty, who were 25 and 19, respectively, when they disappeared, are members of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
"The anniversary is very tough," said Jimenez's father, Andy Jimenez, during a telephone call from the Dominican Republic last night. "But at least for me, I still have faith and hope that Alex is still alive."
The elderJimenez said events like the one Saturday have been a source of strength for him and his family.
He is especially looking forward to seeing the soldiers from Fort Drum.
"All they do for Alex means a lot to me because I know that if it was the other way around, Alex would have done the same thing for them," Jimenez said.
Attending will be Jimenez's mother, Maria Duran, and his brothers, Andy and Bryant Jimenez, all of Queens, N.Y., along with Fouty's father, Mick Fouty, and the soldier's former stepfather, Gordy Dibler.
The event begins in the parking lot of Polartec, 46 Stafford St., Lawrence, then moves to Gaythorne Hall/Knights of Columbus, 462 R Broadway, Methuen, and ends at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 300 Haverhill St., Lawrence.
Sereigo-Wareing, who lives in Methuen, has been planning the event for his friend Andy Jimenez.
"It's good for the family to know that they are not going through this difficult time alone," Sereigo-Wareing said. "We want to show we support them and we have the same hope that their sons will be coming home."
There is another selfish reason. With the presidential election coming this fall, Sereigo-Wareing wants to make sure that military officials will continue searching for Jimenez and Fouty, who are labeled captured and missing.
"I want to make sure the decision makers can see the families and realize these are the mothers, fathers and friends of those captured," Wareing said.
On Sunday and Monday, Andy Jimenez will travel to New York, where several events are planned for Fouty and his son.
On Memorial Day weekend, the Jimenez and Fouty families travel to Washington, D.C., for ceremonies in the nation's capital that include a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam veterans memorial, a concert and speakers at the Reflecting Pool, and a tour of the Pentagon.
If you go
What: First anniversary of the disappearance of Sgt. Alex Jimenez and Pfc. Byron Fouty.
Where: Parking lot of Polartec, 46 Stafford St., Methuen.
When: Event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with motorcyclists registering for a Prisoners of War ride, followed by colors posted by members of the 10th Mountain Division Color Guard of Fort Drum and singing of the national anthem by country singer Jacy Dawn. At 11 a.m., there will be a military helicopter flyover, prayer, a moment of silence, and singing of "Amazing Grace" by Hammer of Rolling Thunder. Speakers include Fouty and Jimenez family members, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan. They return at 1:30 p.m. at Gaythorne Hall/Knights of Columbus, 462 R Broadway, Methuen, for a cookout. A Mass begins at 5 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 300 Haverhill St.
