April 10, 1999
Web posted at: 9:24 p.m. EDT (0124 GMT)
MONTEBELLO, California (CNN) -- Community leaders gathered with the rank and file in greater Los Angeles on Saturday, demonstrating support for three U.S. soldiers held in Yugoslavia during the ongoing NATO air campaign.
Several hundred rallied in Montebello for East Los Angeles native Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez. Many waved American flags, wore yellow ribbons and displayed buttons reading "Come home soon."
Wearing a button with pictures of her son, Vivian Ramirez had to be led away from the podium as she spoke of his capture.
"He went on a mission of peace. This was not supposed to happen," she said, choking back tears as her daughter, Nadine, comforted her.
Shouts of encouragement came from those gathered before the veterans memorial at Montebello Park. Many were veterans, including Dr. Josh Valdez, who served in Desert Storm.
"We will not rest until you come home," Valdez said of Ramirez.
Serbian forces captured Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone, 25, of Smiths Creek, Michigan, and Spc. Steven M. Gonzales, of Huntsville, Texas, on March 31 as they patrolled the Yugoslav-Macedonia border.
The band at Ramirez's alma mater, Schurr High School, performed at the rally, attended by veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Many wore berets and fatigues and carried flags from their units.
Meanwhile, NATO supporters waved U.S. and Albanian flags at a smaller rally in front of a federal building in west Los Angeles. The entire Zeciri family of Encino attended.
"I hope we can stop this madman," Besnik Zeciri said, referring to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. "We may never be able to cure the wounds he has created."
Zeciri walked away carrying a sign that read, "Free the Peacekeepers." On the sign were pictures of Ramirez, Stone and Gonzales.
Gonzales turned 22 Saturday. The House Republican Conference set up a Web site to send birthday greetings to him.
In Huntsville, Texas, his parents celebrated the day in private. Their only birthday wish -- his freedom.
A Fort Hood spokesman said Gilbert and Rosie Gonzales wanted to stay near their home Saturday, visiting relatives.
Parishioners at the Huntsville Greater Zion Baptist Church lighted candles in Gonzales' honor during a special service Saturday afternoon.
The couple remains optimistic despite a recent setback, said the Fort Hood spokesman. A Cyprus mediator failed Friday to negotiate the release of the captured men.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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RELATED SITES:
Extensive list of Kosovo-related sites
• Kosovo
Yugoslavia:
• Federal Republic of Yugoslavia official site
• Kesovo and Metohija facts
• Serbia Ministry of Information
• Serbia Now! News
Kosovo:
• Kosova Crisis Center
• Kosova Liberation Peace Movement
• Kosovo - from Albanian.com
Military:
• F-117s arrive at Aviano to support possible NATO operations
• NATO official site
• BosniaLINK - U.S. Dept. of Defense
• U.S. Navy images from Operation Allied Force
• U.K. Ministry of Defence - Kosovo news
• U.K. Royal Air Force - Kosovo news
• Jane's Defence - Kosovo Crisis
Relief:
• Mercy International USA
• U.S. Agency for International Development (Kosovo aid)
• Doctors of the World
• InterAction
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• Kosovo Humanitarian Disaster Forces Hundreds of Thousands from their Homes
• Catholic Relief Services
• Kosovo Relief
• ReliefWeb: Home page
Media:
• Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
• Independent Yugoslav radio stations B92
• Institute for War and Peace Reporting
• United States Information Agency - Kosovo Crisis
Other:
• Expanded list of related sites on Kosovo
• 1997 view of Kosovo from space - Eurimage
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