FORMER POW LEADS CANOGA PARK PARADE.Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer Canoga Park may not be Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez's hometown, but San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents gave the released POW a hero's welcome during its annual Memorial Day parade Monday. Looking sharp in his Army dress uniform, Ramirez led the parade as honorary grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. and then spent his afternoon surrounded by well-wishers who hugged and congratulated him near the grandstand area. ``It's just an honor - the whole thing,'' said Ramirez, 24, of East Los Angeles East Los Angeles, uninc. city (1990 pop. 126,379), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles, in an industrial area. It has a large Mexican-American population. There is a performing arts center and a cultural center. A junior college is there. . ``It's just great that they would ask me to serve as grand marshal.'' The parade, sponsored by the Canoga Park-West Hills Chamber of Commerce, drew a crowd estimated at more than 25,000 people. They were entertained by marching high school bands, singing church groups, roping charros and numerous veteran and military organizations, who marched through Canoga Park to Vanowen Street and Owensmouth Avenue. Ramirez was captured in late March near the Macedonia-Yugoslavia border while on a peacekeeping mission Noun 1. peacekeeping mission - the activity of keeping the peace by military forces (especially when international military forces enforce a truce between hostile groups or nations) peacekeeping, peacekeeping operation with Spc. Steven M. Gonzales, 21, of Huntsville, Texas Huntsville is a city and micropolitan area located in the U.S. state of Texas within Walker County. As of the U.S. Census 2000, the city population was 35,078. Huntsville is the home of Sam Houston State University. ; and Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone, 25, of Smiths Creek, Mich. The three soldiers Three Soldiers is a 1920[1] novel by the American writer and critic John Dos Passos. It is one of the key American war novels of the First World War, and remains a classic of the realist war novel genre. H.L. were released May 1. During a break in the parade, Ramirez stepped down from the grandstand and was approached by children, parents and veterans who stopped to shake his hand, snap photographs and get his autograph. Ramirez graciously complied. ``People have been very happy to see me, and I'm very happy to see them,'' he said. ``I'm glad to have their support.'' The soldier's mother, Vivian Ramirez of Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, city (1990 pop. 69,330), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles, in the fertile San Gabriel valley; settled 1870, inc. 1956. Its industries include metal fabrication, printing, and plastics manufacturing. , was likewise overcome by emotion by the outpouring of support. ``My mi hijo, he's just overwhelmed, and I feel the same way he does,'' Ramirez said. ``I'm really proud to be his mother. I just want to thank everyone in Canoga Park for being so kind in welcoming my mi hijo home.'' During the parade, Ramirez said she could hear people shouting, ``There goes the mother, the No. 1 mother.'' ``It just makes me feel real happy to hear all that,'' she said. ``A lot of people come up to me and say that. . . they're so glad I've got my mi hijo home and that they're very proud of him.'' Moira Phillips of Reseda was so overjoyed o·ver·joy tr.v. o·ver·joyed, o·ver·joy·ing, o·ver·joys To fill with joy; delight. o when she saw Vivian Ramirez that tears came to her eyes, as she gave her a giant hug. ``She was just so great and was a real strong example of motherhood,'' said Phillips, a mother of three boys, ages 13, 9 and 7. ``She just symbolizes a mother losing something and having it returned.'' After the parade, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman Bradley J. "Brad" Sherman (born October 24 1954) is an American politician. He has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing California's At-large congressional district. , D-Woodland Hills, presented Andrew Ramirez with an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol. ``The flag is in honor of his return and for the outstanding way he has handled himself both during his time in captivity and since he's been released,'' Sherman said. Other officials who attended the parade include U.S. Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys; state Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl Sheila James Kuehl (born February 9, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American politician, and a former child actress. She is currently a Democratic member of the California State Senate, representing the highly urbanized 23rd district in Los Angeles County and parts of southern , D-Encino; and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Roxanne Cook holds her twin daughters Kimber, left, and Krista in the 11th annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade on Monday. (2) Vivian Ramirez and ex-POW Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez wave to the crowd Monday. David Sprague/Daily News |
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