The family of U.S. Army Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, formerly of Oxford, is clinging to faith and hope after a video clip was released by an Al-Qaida insurgent group regarding the missing soldier on Monday.
According to the Associated Press, the video clip, posted by a group called the Islamic State of Iraq, shows 19-year-old Fouty’s official military identification, as well as the identification of 25-year-old Spec. Alex R. Jimenez’s from Massachusetts.
Other personal items, like the soldier’s credit cards, weapons and American money, were shown in the video. An unidentified voice can be heard claiming responsibility for the death of the two men, but the video does not show the soldiers.
Both went missing after a May 12 ambush south of Baghdad. Also captured in the attack was Pvt. First Class Joseph Anzack. His body was found May 23 in the Euphrates River.
Oxford resident Gordy Dibler Jr., Fouty’s former step-father, held a news conference in downtown’s Centennial Park Monday and asked for the community’s continued prayers in bringing the soldier home safely.
He said seeing the video with his stepson’s personal belongings hasn’t diminished his hope.
‘It’s one step closer. That’s how I feel,? Dibler said. ‘It was said that there was no proof of life, but to me, there’s no proof of death.?
Fouty’s former stepgrandmother, Mary Lou Dibler, of Auburn Hills, said the family’s strong faith has been helping them during these trying times.
‘Until there’s no possible rays of hope, the Lord’s in charge,? she said. ‘He can do absolutely anything He wants to do.?
Hundreds of messages and prayers from friends and even complete strangers grace Fouty’s MySpace webpage.
One reads ‘I check the news every day hoping and praying you make it home safe…? Another reads ‘Even though I haven’t met you I hope and pray that you are safe!?
Fouty lived in Oxford from the age of 2? until he was nine-years-old. During that time, he attended Clear Lake Elementary (grades K-3). He later attended Lake Orion Community Schools through junior high.
Fouty went to Walled Lake Central High School for a while, but obtained his GED through Lake Orion High School in 2006. He enlisted in the Army last June while living in Waterford.
Dibler said the last time he was able to speak to his former step-son was on April 17 of this year ? Fouty’s 19 birthday.
‘He was in good spirits,? Dibler said. ‘He said he had a new assignment and that things were going well.?
Dibler described Fouty as a ‘very intense? and ‘determined? individual.
‘When he decided to do something, he was gonna do it,? he said.
Until he receives more detailed information concerning the whereabouts of his step-son, Dibler said he will have to play the waiting game.
‘I’m feeling anxious and the anguish doesn’t go away,? Dibler told the crowd at the news conference. ‘It won’t go away until we see him. I know (the military is) making all of the efforts they can.?