“He wanted to . . . see the world at the same time he was serving his country.” RAMIREZ’S CHILDHOOD PAL BENJAMIN RIOS
LOS ANGELES – Growing up in East L.A., Andrew Ramirez’s hero was his big brother.
Steven Ramirez spent four years in the Army after high school – and that was exactly what Andrew wanted to do.
“He wanted to follow in his footsteps – see the world at the same time he was serving his country,” childhood pal Benjamin Rios said yesterday.
After graduating from Schurr HS in 1992, Andrew joined the Army.
His parents – his dad is a computer programmer and his mom is a homemaker – were proud when he was sent to the Balkans.
They never imagined the next time they saw him would be on TV – as a prisoner of war.
“It was just devastating,” Staff Sgt. Ramirez’s great-uncle, Frank Jasso, said after seeing Serbian television footage.
“It’s always dangerous out there, but when these kinds of things happen, you always think it’s gonna be the other person, not someone close to you.”
In the working-class neighborhood where Ramirez, 24, grew up, the streets are festooned with yellow ribbons and miniature American flags.
The soldier was recalled as a smart, “all-American” young man.
“You could always rely on Andy,” said Victor Ozuna, 44, who lives across the street. “He really is a nice guy. That’s the truth. He put everything into what he did.”
Ramirez is the middle child of three. Younger sister, Nadine, is married and lives nearby. Steven is now an LAPD detective.
At Schurr HS, teachers remembered him as a polite, quiet student.
His real passion was repairing cars. He spent plenty of time in the high-school auto shop.
Across the neighborhood, there were prayers for his safe return.
“I know he will come back and we will all greet him with open arms,” said friend Johnny Rios. “He’s a hero now because he did his duty … We just thank God for putting him in our lives to serve the country.”