War strikes close to home...

One of the three soldiers captured in Iraq is Army Specialist Alex R. Jimenez of Lawrence, Massachusetts. This brings the war close to home as Lawrence is just a ten-minute drive from my home in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Local people had planned a candlelight vigil last night outside the home of the Jimenez family but decided to cancel when they realized the media coverage might jeopardize the life of the missing soldier.

It has been reported that the father of Army Specialist Jimenez was a vocal critic of the Iraq war but a strong supporter of his sons decision to serve in the army.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jimenez family.