East L.A. Parade Honors Ramirez

More than 5,000 supporters, cheering and waving American flags, lined the streets of East Los Angeles on Sunday to officially welcome former POW Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez back from Serbian prison to the community where he grew up.

Mariachis played, high school bands blared and veterans proudly joined the two-mile, two-hour march along Whittier Boulevard as spectators held handmade signs and applauded the young Army soldier who turns 25 today.

“We’ve seen him so much on the news that it seems like we already knew him in our hearts,” said Lupe Duarte, 63, who came from Watts with her sister to watch the spectacle. “I think he deserves a parade because he made it back here, safe and alive.”

Ramirez, decked out in a green Army uniform loaded with medals he has received since his release, sat in the back of a gold convertible and waved as the crowd chanted his name and snapped his picture. Many ran into the street to shake his hand or touch him.

The event was organized by Los Angeles County, AltaMed Health Services, veterans’ organizations and a list of other businesses and public agencies. Among the dignitaries present were Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, who once represented Los Angeles in the state Assembly, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the delegation that secured the release of Ramirez and two other American soldiers.

“This is history,” said Maria Campos, 48, who brought her two grandchildren and a yellow sign that read “From Wilmington: Welcome Home Andrew!”

Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone and Spc. Steven Gonzales were captured in Macedonia on March 31 while on patrol close to the Yugoslav border. They were held captive by Serbian forces for 32 days and released May 2 after lobbying by Jackson and his delegation. Since then, Ramirez has been feted from Dodger Stadium to Disneyland.

In East Los Angeles, where hundreds had gathered in candlelight vigils during his imprisonment, his return had a special tenor. On Sunday, many in the crowd, which police estimated at more than 5,000, said they felt like they were welcoming home a member of their family.

“I just want to say thank you to the people of East L.A.,” said Ramirez, as the car was thronged by well-wishers in the middle of the street. “I just want everyone to know that I’m very proud to have grown up in East L.A.”

Behind his car, his beaming mother, Vivian Ramirez, walked arm in arm with Jackson.

“They never lost faith in God,” Jackson said. “They were honorable soldiers. They made America proud.”

Vivian Ramirez clutched Jackson’s arm and smiled broadly. “I want to thank everybody for welcoming my hijo,” she said. “And this is the man who saved him.”

The festive march ended at Belvedere Park, where hundreds stayed for a 90-minute rally and celebration.

Ramirez, a graduate of Schurr High School in Montebello, stood at the edge of the stage as the crowd pressed at his feet to greet him. Veterans clutched his hand. Mothers lifted their children for Ramirez to hold. Young girls screamed his name.

“How many proposals have you gotten?” asked one woman.

Ramirez laughed. “None in writing,” he said.

World War II veteran John Arambula reached out and grabbed Ramirez’s hands. “I feel like I’ve known you for a long time,” said the 73-year-old Bellflower resident. “God answered our prayers when you were released.”

Carmen Pitones, 37, wiped away tears after she introduced Ramirez to her two children. “He’s one of our own,” she said. “He’s from East L.A. I just needed to give him a hug and welcome him back.”

Other officials included U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk), state Sen. Hilda Solis (D-La Puente), Assemblywoman Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) and Sheriff Lee Baca. Rabbi Steven Jacobs and Dr. Nazir Khaja, both part of Jackson’s delegation to Serbia, joined him at the celebration.

“Sgt. Andrew Ramirez reminds us of the courage Latinos have had in every single conflict,” said County Supervisor Gloria Molina, as the crowd cheered. “Our community is one of the most patriotic in this country. We serve, and we serve with pride.”

At the end of the ceremony, the Schurr High School band played as four skydivers jumped out of a plane and parachuted into the park.

Ramirez watched the spectacle with a dazed smile. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling to see all the support,” he said.

In the next week, he will visit with state officials in Sacramento and spend a day at Sea World. He returns to his Army base in Germany on June 3 and He plans to complete the year and a half he has left in the military.

“I’m looking forward to going back,” he said. “Once I get back and they yell at me, it will kick me back into realizing I’m nothing special.”

* HAYDEN DECRIES BOMBING

State Sen. Tom Hayden delivered a passionate speech against NATO’s bombing of Serbia. B3