Alex Jimenez' fate brings war home to town

LAWRENCE | Alex Jimenez loves being a soldier.

When his father's neighbor, Raul Polanco, first met Jimenez, the young U.S. Army specialist was looking through a book about the Army. "He is a true military man; he lived for that," Polanco said.

Other friends describe Jimenez, who has been missing in Iraq since Saturday, as so enthralled with the military, he watches the commercials with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. He loves it so much, they said, he is planning to re-enlist for another four years.

But his family was not so thrilled with the 25-year-old's choice of careers.

"I didn't agree with his decision because of what is happening," said his cousin, Jose Peralta. "When you go to war, it's like a lottery."

Read the rest at the Eagle Tribune

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