LAWRENCE - In the four months his son has been missing, Andy Jimenez has found support from family members, friends and even people he has never before met.
On Saturday, Jimenez, 53, will meet with someone who truly understands his anguish - Mick Fouty, the father of Pvt. Byron Fouty, who was captured May 12 in Iraq along with Jimenez's son Alex.
Jimenez, of Albion Street, will fly to Detroit along with Jim Sereigo-Wareing, founder of New England Caring for Our Military, and Francisco Urena, Lawrence's director of veterans services.
"I'm looking forward to meeting him and giving each other support," said Jimenez, who has only talked to Fouty on the telephone.
Also tomorrow night, a vigil is planned for outside Jimenez's home on Albion Street to mark the fourth month his son has been missing.
While in Detroit, there will be a motorcycle run followed by a vigil and speakers, songs, prayers and a ceremonial pipe.
"It's important to have the families to come together so it helps them through this extremely difficult period they are going through," said Sereigo, whose group arranged the trip.
In June, New England Caring for Our Military brought Fouty's former-stepfather, Gordy Dibler Jr., to Lawrence so he could meet Jimenez, his former wife, Mary Duran of Corona, N.Y., and their younger son, Bryan, 16.
Sereigo said he bonded with Jimenez and Dibler and wanted Jimenez to meet Fouty's biological father.
"Everyone has an opportunity to help others and this is how I feel I can help them," Sereigo said. "No parent should have to go through this type of ordeal, and anything I can contribute to help them is an honor for me on behalf of what their sons do for our country by serving in the Army."
Meeting Fouty is another source of strength for Jimenez.
"As days go by, my faith gets stronger and renews my hopes that they are alive," Jimenez said. "I feel in my heart what is happening will have a happy ending."
Dibler is looking forward to seeing Jimenez, to whom he became close while visiting Lawrence this summer.
"It's nice to meet with someone who understands," said Dibler. "I know where he is coming from in his heart."
Today, the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has a special meaning for Dibler and Jimenez.
"It gives me a sense of pride because I know that's why he went to defend our freedom," Dibler said.
Jimenez agreed, saying of his son, "I'm proud of what he has accomplished. I've always supported him because it was his decision to join."
Jimenez said he followed his son every step of his Army career, from his graduation from boot camp, to receiving him with joy and open arms when he returned from Korea and hugging and crying as he said goodbye when he left on his second tour in Iraq.
Although she will not be in Michigan to meet Jimenez, Fouty's mother, Hilary Meunier, 45, of San Marcos, Texas, is happy about the meeting.
"He's a kindred soul. There is no other person who knows what we're feeling," she said.
Meunier said her son enjoyed reading mystery novels, the Harry Potter series, playing football, hockey and roller skating. His true passion was on the stage.
"He faced a lot of changes and he liked losing himself in the roles," she said.
Meunier said she was close to her son and they often talked about the war.
"He was upset about our soldiers dying," Meunier recalls. "He is a very compassionate person and was against what was going on."
She said her son saw the Army as his only opportunity to get a college education.
"If I could turn back time, I'd beg him not to go. I would do anything. It's like waking up to a nightmare every day," Meunier said. "It's been difficult especially not knowing how he is, how he is being treated, whether he's being tortured. It's been difficult because as soon as I wake up, he's in my thoughts. There are a lot of times when I'm alone and my heart just breaks."
If you go:
What: Vigil marking the four-month anniversary of the disappearance of Army Spec. Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Michigan.
When: Tomorrow, 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: Andy Jimenez's house, Albion Street, Lawrence.
