Maria Duran stood surrounded by family, friends and supporters near her Corona home on Saturday, June 20, as they unveiled the newly renamed Staff Sergeant Alex Jimenez Way, dedicated to Duran’s son who died while serving in Iraq.
The official unveiling took place on the intersection of 104th Street and 37th Drive, a few feet away from the Jimenez home.
Duran said, “I am proud that the street where I saw my son grow up to become the man he was, will forever be named in his honor.”
Jimenez went missing on May 12, 2007, after his convoy’s unit was ambushed by insurgents by Al Taqa, Iraq.
Jimenez was 25 when he went missing.
Duran received news on July 11, 2008, that her son’s remains had been found in Iraq.
Jimenez was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st infantry regiment based out of Fort Hood, New York.
Councilmember Julissa Ferreras regarded Jimenez as a hero, someone to be held in high esteem for years to come.
“Alex Jimenez gave his life for this country,” she said. “This street renaming is the least we can do to honor his memory.”
“Staff Sergeant Jimenez was a hero in every sense of the world and, as a nation and Queens community, we will forever be indebted to him and his family,” State Senator Hiram Monserrate said. “We are strengthened by the dedication and commitment of the brave veterans who have protected our freedoms around the globe.”
Staff Sergeant Alex Jimenez Way is the fourth street to be renamed in honor of a United States Armed Forces veteran from Senate District 13.
Other veterans include Army Sergeant Jose Gomez and Army Specialist Marlon A. Bustamante, both from Corona, and Corporal Jonathan Rivadeneira from Jackson Heights.
Duran said that she misses her son each day.
“But now with this memorial, Alex lives on and will never be forgotten,” she said.
