LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Two families came together to mark a somber anniversary Saturday, one year after Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, and Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., were kidnapped in Iraq.

NewsCenter 5’s Todd Kazakiewich reported the families are not giving up hope that the soldiers will be found alive and will come back home.

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Two hundred people gathered for the ceremony in Lawrence to show support for the soldiers, who disappeared in Iraq on May 12, 2007, along with Joseph Anzak, 20, of Torrance, Calif. Anzak’s body was found a few days later.

In June 2007, Jimenez’s and Foudy’s IDs were found, but they are still missing.

“Sometimes I cry. I don’t cry because I think Alex won’t come back. In my heart, I see Alex back again,” said Alex Jimenez’s father Andy Jimenez.

“I wish it was me there, instead of him,” said Mick Fouty, father of Byron Fouty.

Support came from the community, the military and members of Congress.

“Niki Tsongas and I want to give each of the families flags to be flown above the Capitol in solidarity for all the members of Congress who share with you that hope,” Sen. John Kerry said.

The families have formed a unique bond.

They will gather again in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day weekend for another ceremony to honor fallen, missing and captured soldiers.

“This is a difficult time. You can’t imagine and I can’t explain to you what I’m feeling, or what my family and friends feel,” said Maria Dunn, Jimenez’s mother.