Carlos Arredondo
Carlos Arredondo made national news when his son Marine Lance Corporal Alexander Arrendondo, 20 years old, was killed in An Najaf, Iraq during his Second tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom on August 25, 2004. Later that day, Carlos Arredondo's 44th birthday, the Marines' Casualty Assistance Team went to his home in Hollywood, Florida to notify him of his son's death. The Marines had not brought a chaplain with them and notified him in the front yard of his home. After close to 30 minutes during which Mr. Arredondo requested for the Marine to leave, he became extremely upset and agitated. At the same time in Bangor, Maine, the Marines were notifying Alex's mother and brother of his death. After some time went by and the Marines refused to leave, according to news reports, "Arredondo was so distraught after the Marines came to his Florida home to tell him, that he climbed in their van and splashed it with gasoline. A propane torch he'd brought inside was lit, Arredondo says accidentally, and he was blown outside. He recovered from his burns and apologized. He was not prosecuted."[1]
Mr. Arredondo was pulled out to safety, however his clothes caught on fire and burned 26% of his body. He received second- and third-degree burns. He was hospitalized in a burn unit for two weeks followed by out-patient home based treatment. Despite his burns, he attended his son's funeral on a stretcher with two paramedics at each side.
Mr. Arredondo, who was an immigrant from Costa Rica, had no insurance and was self-employed working as a handyman. His story made national and international headlines. His recovery took over a year.
Since that time he apologized to the Marines for his drastic actions.
Mr. Arredondo along with his wife Melida formed an organization called People United for Peace. He is now a strong anti-war activist and has speaking engagements around the country speaking about his personal tragedy and to parents about the methods recruiters use to enlist youth. He especially works to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community.
On December 12, 2006, Arredondo became a U.S citizen, with the help of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy.
Reference
- ^ Article from Boston Globe, December 13, 2006
External links
- Father who burned self after son's death becomes citizen, article in Boston Globe
- CNN Report on Arredondo's self-immolation This may be disturbing to some readers.
- [Video on Carlos Arredondo's story]
- People United for Peace official website