SelectPlusFamilies Mourn Loss of Missing SoldiersFamilies Mourn Loss of Missing SoldiersThe Associated PressThe Pentagon is confirming accounts it has identified the remains of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez and Army Pvt. Byron Fouty, two U.S. soldiers missing in Iraq for more than a year. (July 11)[Notes:VO–MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL] IN THE HOMETOWN OF ARMY SERGEANT ALEX JIMENEZ — A MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL IS BEGINNING TO GROW.MORE THAN A YEAR AGO — JIMENEZ AND TWO OTHER SOLDIERS WERE KIDNAPPED DURING AN AMBUSH ON U.S. TROOPS SOUTH OF BAGHDAD.YESTERDAY JIMENEZ’ FAMILY WAS TOLD HIS REMAINS HAD BEEN FOUND IN IRAQ. [Notes:SOT — SANDY ALMONTE/FAMILY FRIEND]I think no one is ever ready for this. [Notes:NATS — TRANSLATOR READING] Ever since I was born — [Notes:VO — TRANSLATOR READING]SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR — HIS FATHER SHOWED OFF A LETTER HIS SON SENT TO THE ARMY WHEN HE WAS STILL A TEEN EXPLAINING WHY HE WANTED TO BECOME A SOLDIER.AND HE SAID THE NEWS OF THE YOUNG MAN’S DEATH — MISSING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR — HAD SHATTERED THE FAMILY’S HOPES HE’D COME BACK TO THE U.S. ALIVE. [Notes:SOT –FATHER] I am very proud of him…and my other sons as well. [Notes:VO–FAMILY IN NEW YORK]IN NEW YORK — OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS REACTED, TOO. [Notes:SOT — FAMILY MEMBER] I want to tell everybody….thank you for their support….very much. [Notes:SOT — MOTHER]That he was wonderful….he loved everybody…he died for something….i propose doing a lot of things…but he said no ma…that’s what I like. [Notes:VO –PHOTOS OF MISSING SOLDIERS]JIMENEZ DISAPPEARED IN MAY 2007 WITH PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BYRON FOUTY. A THIRD SOLDIER — PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOSEPH ANZACK — WAS ALSO KIDNAPPED — BUT HIS BODY TURNED UP LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER IN THE EUPHRATES RIVER. [Notes:VO–SHOTS OF JIMENEZ FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERED AT HOME]FOR MORE THAN A YEAR THE TWO FAMILIES HAVE WAITED.THEY ALSO BECAME FRIENDS. [Notes:VO — FILE OF TROOPS SEARCHING FOR MEN IN IRAQ] THE PENTAGON SAYS THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOLDIERS’ REMAINS CAME AFTER U.S. TROOPS CAPTURED SOMEONE SUSPECTED OF KNOWING WHERE THE SOLDIERS WERE BURIED.AND IT SAYS THE REMAINS WERE DISCOVERED WEDNESDAY AND IDENTIFIED A DAY LATER. [Notes:VO –PHOTOS OF TWO SOLDIERS]OFFICIALS ALSO SAY THE BODIES OF BOTH SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE U.S. AND MORE TESTS WILL BE DONE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. [Notes:VO—PHOTO OF FOUTY] IN MICHIGAN — WHERE YELLOW RIBBONS WERE PUT OUT TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE — FOUTY’S FATHER SAID HIS SON WENT TO IRAQ TO HELP PEOPLE WHO COULDN’T HELP THEMSELVES.HE SAID THE DEATHS OF THE TWO SOLDIERS’ WERE NOT IN VAIN. ___ ___, The Associated Press.