Andrew A. Ramirez
2011 Grand Marshal
Andrew A. Ramirez was born on May 24, 1974, in Montebello, California. He grew up in East Los Angeles and graduated from Schurr High School in Montebello, where he was part of the wrestling team. Unsure of what to do after high school, Andrew joined the United States Army in 1992.
After training as a reconnaissance specialist at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Staff Sergeant Ramirez was assigned to a parachute infantry battalion at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. After moving with his unit to Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was reassigned to Fort Carson, Colorado. When the cavalry squadron he was a member of deactivated, Staff Sergeant Ramirez once again was reassigned to an Armor Battalion Scout Platoon at the Colorado Army post. During this assignment he participated in a multi-national training exercise in Kuwait, the first of many overseas deployments for Ramirez.
In January of 1998, he left Colorado for Germany, where he became a part of the legendary 1st Infantry Division, better known as the “Big Red One”. Staff Sergeant Ramirez served as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunner and Bradley Commander until March of 1999, when he was deployed to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. After arriving as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force, his unit was quickly reassigned to support the NATO operations against Serbia and Kosovo. On March 31, 1999, while on a routine patrol, Ramirez along with two others was ambushed and captured by Yugoslav forces. Staff Sergeant Ramirez’s battered face was broadcast around the world, thrusting him and the other soldiers into the international spotlight. After thirty-two days he was released thanks to the efforts of an inter-faith religious delegation led by the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson.
Opting to continue Army service after this trying ordeal, Staff Sergeant Ramirez requested reassignment to Fort Irwin, California, where he initially served as a Scout Platoon section leader with the resident “opposing force” unit. Shortly after, he was transferred to the post Public Affairs office as the Total Army Involvement in Recruiting coordinator, a position that allowed him to utilize his unique experience to benefit Army recruiting.
Staff Sergeant Ramirez was honorably discharged from the United States Army after eight years of service in 2000. He spent the next three years as a member of the California National Guard in Ontario, CA. Ramirez attended Citrus College in Glendora, CA before transferring and graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. He currently resides in Palmdale, CA with his wife and two daughters. He has been a teacher with the Palmdale School District since 2007.
Staff Sergeant Ramirez’s awards include the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), the Army Achievement Medal (4 awards), the POW Medal, the Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the NATO Medal, Tracked Vehicle Driver’s Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
Andrew Ramirez’s hobbies include reading, traveling, and helping others in his community. He is a member of Disabled American Veterans.
