Sgt. Alex Jimenez~Update

Posted: 11 Jul 2008 06:20 AM CDT

Body of missing Lawrence soldier found in Iraq

By Yadira Betances

Staff writer

LAWRENCE - The body of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence, who has been missing in Iraq for ore than a year, has been found.

Military officials told his family members in Lawrence and New York on Thursday that the body was identified through dental records.

Jimenez, 25, had been missing since May 12, 2007.

He was among three members of the 2nd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division kidnapped by terrorists during an ambush south of Baghdad. Four other soldiers were killed in the attack. Jimenez’s father, Andy Jimenez, a construction worker from Lawrence, was informed by uniformed military officials who went to his home early Thursday evening.

“I have lost all hope. Oh my God. I have lost all hope,” Andy Jimenez said upon learning his son’s fate.

The news saddened the city. “I know this is going to hurt all of us tomorrow when the news is out

because we had been waiting for the day when he would return home,” said Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan. “I had so much hope that he was going to come home. And I know his mom and dad and wife and kids felt the same way.”

“Tomorrow will be a sad day for Lawrence and people throughout the country,” the mayor added. “He’s with God in heaven now. Alex will always go down as a hero. He died for our country and for us to remain

free.”

The mayor said he will meet with Veterans Services Director Francisco Urena to decide what steps the city will take to honor the fallen soldier and to assist the family, including the possibilities of having flags throughout the city fly at half staff.

“On behalf of the city, we’re saddened for the Jimenez family,” Sullivan said. “We prayed and wished he was going to come home one day and that never happened. The city stands ready to assist the family in any

way to remove their pain.”