BOSTON -- When President Bush laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery this Memorial Day, Andy Jimenez was there among the specially invited guests. The 55-year old native of the Dominican Republic is the father of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence. Jimenez, 26, has been missing in Iraq since May of 2007, when insurgents captured him and three other soldiers.

"It was a special day. For a person to know how great Memorial Day is they have to go to Washingon, D. C.," said Jimenez through a Spanish interpreter.

When the ceremonies in Washington were over, President Bush met privately with Jimenez and other family members and spoke to them in Spanish. Jimenez said it meant a great deal to hear the president's words.

"To hear it from the president and his military leaders, yes, we are going to continue searching for your son, that brings me tranquility. Although we have faith that God doesn't want him dead, but dead or alive they're going to find him," said Jimenez.

Newscenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported the MIA's father said he was also deeply moved by a banner presented to him by the veterans' group Rolling Thunder. The banner has his son's name on it below a broken heart depicting the stars and stripes and the black and white flag remembering those missing in action. The banner says 'a piece of my heart is in Iraq'.

"I have stopped crying because in my mind and in my heart Alex is alive. Thank God they haven't found any evidence that Alex is dead. And in my mind what I am committed to is that I will see Alex again because he is alive," said Jimenez.