Fallen soldier's remains taken home to Lawrence

Supporters greet motorcade for Jimenez

LAWRENCE - The thunder of the motorcade rumbled in the distance on the otherwise deserted highway.

As the flashing lights of police motorcycles came into view on Interstate 93, where troopers yesterday briefly stopped traffic, tears streamed down somber faces, and flags rose from a ribbon-covered Methuen overpass, where a crowd gathered to welcome home the fallen soldier.

About fourteen months ago, Army Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez disappeared after insurgents ambushed his convoy as it traveled west of Mahmudiyah, Iraq. The military recovered his remains on July 8 west of Jurf As Sukhr, and yesterday, state and local police escorted a hearse carrying his casket from Hanscom Air Force Base to the church where he received his First Communion.

Standing beside black and purple ribbons of mourning and banners hailing Jimenez for "serving the Army and the USA with honor, dignity, courage, bravery, and loyalty," Janet St. Onge and her husband watched in silence as the motorcade turned onto Howe Street Bridge in Methuen and rolled past on its way to Lawrence.

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

Beside her on the bridge were about a dozen of Jimenez's cousins, who drove up from New York City, where the soldier was born.

They described a mix of grief and anger after their hopes that their 25-year-old cousin would return home alive were dashed.

"I feel deceived," said Griselda Duran, Jimenez's aunt. "We thought he was alive. The Army told us he was alive and that he had been captured. We held out hope for a long time."

Jimenez's uncle, Agustin Duran, searched for the right words.

"I feel like I've been destroyed," he said. "But this is what he would have wanted - to return home to a hero's welcome. We really appreciate all the support of so many people in Massachusetts."

As the motorcade slowly made its way down Route 213 and onto Jackson Street in Lawrence, it passed beneath a large flag draped over a ladder extending from a Methuen firetruck. There were red, white, and blue balloons, American flags, and cardboard signs bearing Jimenez's name. An electronic traffic sign blinked: "Methuen Police Honor Sgt. Jimenez."

Then the motorcade turned and drove two blocks to Albion Street, where Jimenez's father, Ramon "Andy" Jimenez, other relatives, and friends have held a vigil for the past year and a half since the staff sergeant vanished with two other soldiers.

A large American flag covered the front of the father's clapboard home, and on the sidewalk outside sat roses and daisies, a wreath, candles, and quotes from letters that Jimenez had written home. One read: "I promise to fight for the innocent who can't fight for themselves."

A banner beside the house that had been up for more than a year was changed. Instead of saying, "Together they serve our nation, together they will come home." The banner now read, "Together they did come home."

When the motorcade stopped in front of the house, Jimenez's mother and father stepped out of a limousine to thank a crowd that came to show their support.

Accompanied by the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder, motorcycle groups that honor fallen veterans, the motorcade turned back onto Jackson Street and passed City Hall, where hundreds of people stood outside and held signs honoring Jimenez.

The rumbling procession ended at St. Mary of the Assumption church, with hundreds more people there to show solidarity.

Among the well-wishers was Maria Marmol, who for about an hour held up a large Dominican flag with her husband.

"I'm a mother, too, and I can understand what his family is experiencing," said Marmol, who did not know Jimenez. "We also wanted to show support from where he grew up."

Jimenez lived in Lawrence from ages 8 to 13, and then he moved to the Dominican Republic with his mother. He returned to Lawrence after graduating from high school and joined the Army shortly afterward.

City officials said they plan to erect a billboard honoring Jimenez.

"The city really wants to show its support," said Francisco Urena, director of Lawrence Veterans Services. "It's unfortunate the way he came back, but at least his family now has closure, and he is back with them."

Yesterday afternoon, friends, relatives, and neighbors attended a wake at St. Mary's.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for today, and another service will be held Aug. 2 on Long Island, N.Y., where Ramirez's mother lives, before he is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y.

David Abel can be reached at dabel@globe.com.