LAWRENCE — Thousands of people turned out to honor the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of local soldier Sgt. Alex Jimenez yesterday, as well as his fellow soldier Byron Fouty of Michigan and others missing in action.

"Seeing so many people here makes my faith and hope grow," Andy Jimenez, Alex's father said. "Knowing you have the support of others reminds you that you're not alone."

Jimenez and Fouty, members of the 10th Mountain's 2nd Brigade, have been missing since May 12, 2007, when their unit was ambushed in a predawn raid south of Baghdad.

"It's been so long since it happened, you get back to your normal life, but being here, it all hits you again at once," said Joshua Studinarz, 21, who was trained by Jimenez.

Alex's mother, Maria Duran, Byron's father, Mick Fouty, and his former stepfather, Gordy Dibler, all attended the services. The day featured a flyover by three Black Hawk helicopters, a POW motorcycle run from Methuen to Salisbury Beach Reservation by members of Rolling Thunder, and political speakers including Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Sen. John Kerry.

Sergeants Chris Kunert and Joshua Parrish drove from Fort Drum, N.Y., along with Specialists Mike Smith, 22, Joshua Studinarz, 21, Robert Pool, 20, and Sean Gopaul. The servicemen were in charge of the color guard throughout the day.

The day concluded with a service at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, where a video of Jimenez and Fouty was shown.

Many at the crowd cried as photographs of the soldiers celebrating birthdays and Christmas flashed on the screen.

"Seeing the photos is like going back to his childhood," Jimenez' mother said. "What hurts the most is not knowing where he is and hoping that he will come home soon."

Also at yesterday's service at St. Mary were Sgt. Mike Lang of Weymouth, who was deployed to Iraq in August 2006 with Jimenez and Fouty; Steve and Judy Zabierek of Chelmsford, whose son Andrew, was killed in Iraq in 2004; and Dana Bean of Pembroke, whose son, Matthew, died while searching for Jimenez and Fouty.

"I'm here to honor my brothers because that's what they are," Lang said. "It's an Army thing. We never leave a soldier behind, and they are never forgotten. I think it's absolutely amazing the care people have shown, even those who don't support the war but those who are in it, and that's what's important."

As parents of a fallen soldier, the Zabiereks wanted to offer their support, just as Andy Jimenez and Jim Wareing — the founder of New England Caring For Our Military — have supported them by attending fundraising events for a scholarship they established in their son's name.

"It's been so horrible for us. We can't imagine what they are going through," Judy said.

"I'm proud of everything my son did and the sacrifice he made for these guys," Bean said. "It's still heartbreaking, but because of our Christian faith we know he's in heaven and we'll get to see him again."

Earlier, Bean's brother Doug of Peabody attended the bike run with his son, Austin, 6. He said it was hard because he misses his nephew, but he wants to support the Jimenez and Fouty families.

Others who don't know the families reached out, too.

"I've never known a POW, and when I found out about him, it hit home," said Jody Freitas, 35, of Lawrence. "He is from Massachusetts and from Lawrence. If you don't support your own, who will?"

"Alex is a true Lawrencian, and you have to support them," said Lynn Bernard of Lawrence, who attended with daughter, Emma, 13. "Sometimes a hand around the shoulder is all they need to know we care."

Jack and Kim Calligandes of Derry, N.H., prayed all the way from Methuen to Salisbury on the bike run.

"We prayed for strength for the family and that they can find peace and closure one way or another," Kim Calligandes said.