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Anthony Ramirez is my cousin,
From article in the Press-Enterprise:
Slain boy inspires group to mobilize
11 yr old Anthony Ramirez who was shot and killed in june while playing basketball with his brothers and friends at a San Bernardino middle school, was remembered thursday at a special school assembly.
If all goes as planned, his name will be known and remembered across the country for years to come.
the assembly at rio vista elementary school where anthony was in fifth grade featured Decoster's Kids, an anti-drug and anti-violence foundation that motivates students through interactive lectures and professional motocross riders.
3 yrs ago, the group did its first california assembly at rio vista and anthony along with about 300 other students and parents signed a pledge to say "no" to drugs and violence, director bob sparenberg said.
"His commitment ultimately cost him his life," sparenberg said. "And it is essential that his name does not go away."
To do that, Sparenberg said, in 2007 "In memory of Anthony Ramirez," will be painted on the back of the 60ft trailer and mobile classroom the group uses to travel across the country. One of the five motocross bikes will be called the "Anthony Ramirez 450 Suzuki" and will bear his initials.
The group also hopes to build the Decoster's Kids Anthony Ramirez Memorial Youth Ranch in Texas in the coming years, sparenberg said.
Anthony's parents, three borthers, grandmother and other extended family embers in attendance were surprised and touched by the gesture.
"I had no idea they were doing all this," Anthony's mother, Michelle Ramirez, said. "It feels great to know that his name will be remembered.
Throughout the ceremony, tears flowed as teacher Mark Walos shared his memories of Anthony.
"His smile and his love for his family" is what he remembers most, Walos said.
Mayor Pat Morris said he was delighted that the Ramirez family still lives in the city and stressed to the children the importance of staying away from drugs.
"Anthony's life was taken by another young man that was high on drugs and alcohol," he said.
James Lamont Bagsby, 15, has been charged with murder. He is suspected of firing a gun into a group of boys who were playing basketball at King Middle School on June 21. Anthony was killed and his older brother was wounded in the hand.