LAWRENCE - Marleni Paulino, 14, was applying for a summer job at City Hall yesterday afternoon. She also was thinking about Army Spc. Alex Jimenez.

"Everyone is trying to support him," said Marleni, an eighth-grader at St. Mary's School. "This is why young people shouldn't go to war. It just gets their families all stirred up."

Jimenez, 25, whose father lives on Albion Street, has been missing since May 12 when his unit was ambushed in Iraq. Al-Qaida released a videotape Monday claiming the soldier was killed and buried shortly after he was kidnapped. But the U.S. military denounced the tape and said the search would continue for Jimenez and fellow missing soldier Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19.

Around Lawrence, residents went about their business yesterday. But Jimenez was clearly on their minds.

"I just know he's alive," said Marleni.

Frances Lara said everyone in Lawrence is talking and praying for Jimenez, especially in the elementary schools. Lara said her young nieces and nephews have been drawing and coloring for Jimenez in school.

"They're constantly talking about him," she said.

He's also in her thoughts.

"I wish him the best," she said. "All kids are innocent. They are children of God."

Ysabel Suarez, 44, also has Jimenez in her prayers.

"It's just terrible. I feel so sad for him and his family, especially his mother and father," she said, before keeping an appointment on Common Street yesterday afternoon.

Janet Bigio, 26, walked with her son Ken, 5, on Campagnone Common yesterday. She empathized with the Jimenez family and also thought of a close friend who has a 21-year-old son who's heading to Iraq soon.

"She's praying he comes back," Bigio said.

Bigio knows one thing for sure: When Ken grows up, she's never letting him join the military.

"I think I'd go crazy," she said. "He's my only son. He can't go."

Francisco Urena, the city's veterans director, said yesterday that "the community remains united in support" for Jimenez. He's received dozens of calls over the past two days from residents "who are interested in what's going on."

He anticipates a strong show of support for the Jimenez family during a gathering and Mass at 6 p.m. Saturday. Well-wishers will gather at Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelization Center, at the corner of Lawrence and Chestnut streets. The Mass will be followed by a procession to St. Mary of the Assumption Church at 300 Haverhill St. for an all-night vigil.

Urena said any wish, whether it be a thought, a quick prayer or a yellow ribbon affixed to a door or window, helps.

"Any sign of support is good for the family," he said.

Urena also will speak about Jimenez Thursday at the opening dinner for Lawrence's annual Hispanic Week. He will give dinner attendees an update on the situation and ask for a moment of silence.

Last night, the Lawrence City Council honored Jimenez with a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting.

Staff writer Zach Church contributed to this story.