VIGIL HELD FOR POWS; SOLDIER'S FAMILY JOINS WELL-WISHERS.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen and Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writers

The mother of captured U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez joined friends, family and well-wishers in prayer Friday night at a candlelight vigil in the neighborhood where he grew up.

Trembling as she spoke, Vivian Ramirez thanked the community for their flowers, prayers and phone calls. She said it has reinforced her faith in the safe return of her son, an infantryman captured with two other American soldiers Wednesday in the Balkans.

``Mi hijo, I love you. I wish you were here,'' Ramirez said as she stood before the crowd of about 200 outside the AltaMed Community Health Clinic. ``I hope you're well, and I'm waiting for you to come home.''

Ramirez's sister, Nadine, 34, who also attended the vigil, said her anxious family has been grateful for the outpouring of support.

``I'd like to thank everybody. We're just very worried for my brother, and we want him to come home. He'll be strong, and he'll be happy to see my mom.''

Concerned relatives, friends and neighbors of the 24-year-old Schurr High School graduate spent the day in prayer and worry Friday, consoling one another and watching for updates on television.

Vivian Ramirez said that the Pentagon and the International Red Cross contacted her Friday morning, telling her they planned to see her son, so they can check his wounds and evaluate how badly he is injured.

``I can't ask for more,'' Vivian Ramirez said. ``They are doing the best that they can. Hopefully, it will be over soon, and he can come home.''

While more and more yellow ribbons were tied to trees and fences in support of Ramirez, the family's concerns intensified with news about the three POWs coming under the Yugoslavian government's military trial.

``The family is bracing for anything. Anything can happen,'' Frank Jasso, the great-uncle of Ramirez, said at the family home at 716 S. Eastmont Ave., in East Los Angeles.

But family members said the community's support has given them strength.

``My spirit has gone up; I have more faith that he will be coming home soon,'' Vivian Ramirez said at the prayer vigil.

Overhead hung a 25-foot banner covered with messages written by supporters, such as ``May God bless you in your safe return home'' and ``All of us are praying for you.''

Ramirez's mother said she sent her imprisoned son a letter, telling him how much she loves him, and she hopes to get a reply.

``I told him everyone in the world is praying for him and the other soldiers,'' she said.

The Rev. Jesse Galaz, pastor at the family's church, St. Alphonsus in East Los Angeles, led the prayers at the candlelight vigil.

``We light these candles here symbolizing our unity with each other and with Andrew and his companions,'' Galaz said.

State Sen. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, said she would introduce a resolution in the Senate on Monday recognizing Sgt. Ramirez's bravery.

``Your son is fighting for our freedom,'' Solis told Ramirez's mother at the vigil. ``I know this is a tremendous, tremendous hardship for a family that is grieving.''

Nadine Ramirez spoke of her brother's commitment to join the military and later become a police officer, following in the footsteps of her other brother, Steve.

``He wanted to be in the service since junior high,'' she said. ``That's just what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a cop.''

Steve Ramirez, 31, a detective at the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Division, attended the vigil but did not speak.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca praised Ramirez for his courage and commitment.

``We are very proud of your son Andrew Ramirez who is standing up for protecting people across the world,'' Baca said.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina said the show of community support was crucial at this uncertain time.

``We have to extend our prayers to these three brave young men,'' she said. ``We are honored by the work they are doing to bring peace to that country.''

Mario Padron, 24, a close friend of Ramirez in junior high school, came to the vigil to show his support.

``He's in my thoughts and in my prayers, and may God bless him and bring him home quickly and safe,'' Padron said of his friend.

Jimmy Chow, 22, of Montebello said he hoped the gathering sends a message that Ramirez is beloved in his community.

``This lets the world see our support. He's not just another soldier on the field; he has family and friends,'' Chow said.

East Los Angeles businesses and residents displayed yellow ribbons on their storefronts and yards.

An alumni wrestling club from Ramirez's graduating high school class at Schurr High School visited the Ramirez home Friday to drop off flowers, a wrestling shirt and a letter to the family.

Flowers, candles, a Holy Bible and a large sign that read ``Bring Andy Home'' were left at the front gate of the family home where Ramirez loyally returns on his breaks from the military.

Early Friday morning, Ramirez's father, Andrew Ramirez Sr., 50, returned to feed his five dogs, including Max, his son's Doberman mix.

His sister, Frankie, said Andy Sr. was ``in a lot of pain.''

Los Angeles Police Lt. Anthony Alba said he was trying Friday to obtain blown-up photos of the three POWs to circulate at all LAPD stations for employees and visitors to sign.

``A lot of us are former military. We all obviously hope that they're released in good condition,'' Alba said.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Vivian Ramirez, left, mother of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez, and the captured soldier's sister Nadine light candles at the vigil held Friday night in East Los Angeles.

(2) Austin Vela, 4, nephew of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez, listens to speakers at the candlelight vigil Friday night.

David Sprague/Daily News