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August 26, 2004
My husband did not take the news well
Grieving father torches Marine vehicle
A Hollywood father devastated by the death of his son in Iraq lashed out Wednesday by setting fire to the government van that brought U.S. Marines to deliver the news, severely burning himself in the process.Carlos Arredondo ran toward the van with a lit propane torch and can of gasoline, smashed windows, doused the inside and set it afire as the stunned three-Marine team yelled at him to stop, just minutes after they had delivered the message that 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo was killed in combat.
Carlos Arredondo was thrown from the van when it exploded, and Marines rolled him on the ground to smother the fire at 2:14 p.m., witnesses said.
Arredondo, of 5430 Tyler St., was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where he was reported in serious condition. He was later transferred to the burn unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Hollywood Police Capt. Tony Rode said Arredondo, who turned 44 on Wednesday, suffered second-degree burns on his arms and legs, over 30 percent to 50 percent of his body. None of the Marines was injured. Marine Maj. Scott Mack said Arredondo is expected to live.
The Marines were at the house for about 20 or 30 minutes before Arredondo started the fire, Mack said.
''It doesn't appear he was trying to hurt himself,'' Marine Capt. Patrick Kerr, medical officer for Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, said in a telephone interview. ``He was trying to destroy the vehicle.''
''This gentleman was determined to exercise some of his grief on the only government entity he saw,'' Mack said. ``This is just a tragedy on top of a tragedy.''
Police said it's too early to determine whether Arredondo would face charges for destroying the Chevrolet van.
...
Melida Arredondo, the Marine's stepmother, said her husband could see the Marines through a window when they pulled up.
''My husband knew that his firstborn son had been killed, and my husband did not take the news well,'' she said.
She said Carlos Arredondo, a Costa Rica native, was proud of his son's service but wished it could have been during a more peaceful time.
But the dead Marine's grandmother, Luz Marina Arredondo Piedra, took a harsher view toward the American invasion of Iraq.
''They should stop this now,'' she said. ``They send them like guinea pigs over there.''
...
Foley said her son had been about 250 yards away from the Muslim shrine in Najaf where three weeks of fighting have raged between U.S.-led forces and the Mahdi Army militia of rebel cleric Muqtada al Sadr.
Arredondo had been stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., with the First Marine Division. Seeking a challenge, he joined the Marines about one month before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when he was in high school, his mother said. He joined because he didn't want to be financial burden to his family, his stepmother Melida Arredondo, said.
What was that in the middle? Too early to determine if Carlos Arredondo would face charges for destroying the van???
I wish someone would interview the recruiter who signed up Alexander Arredondo. What was the conversation? What were the promises, what were the expectations?
Posted by zeynep at August 26, 2004 01:41 AM
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Comments
Recruiter complicity in the deaths of the young people that they deceive into enlisting has never been seriously examined as far as I know. But it most assuredly would be in a sane and equitable society that is based on social justice, integrity, and honor. Of course, that isn't this one up to now. Imagine if survivors could sue recruiters over the lies and deceptions that the recruiters use to fool young and suggestible enlistees who are then killed during an illegal occupation in another sovereign nation.
In spite of the problems that a military draft would pose for the particular plutocrats who restore it, recruiters simply can't lie fast enough to supply the military planners with the numbers of individuals required to carry on perpetual wars in multiple theaters of battle simultaneously. This is what the militarists want. And this is why we must resist our imperialist American government in every way we can.
Just because the American plutocrats want world domination doesn't mean that they'll get it. We must stop them any way we can if we still can. It looks bleak but I for one haven't given up hope yet for a better world. It will be a tight race to save our species before we poison the planet and cause our own extinction, but we should keep the struggle going to the very end it seems to me.
Sincerely,
Old & In The Way
Posted by: Phil Cicchi at August 26, 2004 08:44 PM
The article regarding Alex Arredondo, ends with the request to hear the recruiter's conversation. Though I did not know 'Dondo' at the time he was recruited, I was glad that he served alongside my husband in Iraq both this year and last. Dondo was an incredibly bright young man and the best of assult climbers trained with the 11th MEU. He enjoyed his job in the Marine Corps and was loyal in his service to the United States. I was able to listen to the stories he and the other Marines would share across our dinner table and know that he enjoyed his role in making a postive difference in Iraq last year and had great ambition and enthusiasm for the deployment that ended up taking him to Iraq this year. He will be greatly missed by his fellow marines and their friends and families that were blessed to know him. I do know that if the recruiter were to ask him now, if he made the right choice in joining the Marine Corps, Dondo would answer, "Yes!"
Posted by: Annie at August 27, 2004 02:10 AM
Alex Arredondo did not join the Marines to avoid being a "financial hardship" to his family. I am his aunt, and remember his excitement and anticipation of his 17th birthday so that he could enlist. He wanted to be a Marine, and he loved being a Marine and serving his country. Never did he expect it to be easy, he was one of the most exceptional boys I have known. He was fun, hardworking, focused and driven, with a tender compassionate side that touched all who knew him. He was very protective and supportive of his mother, and loved his family very, very much. I wish you had had the chance to meet my nephew, we will all miss his sweet smile and spirit very much.
Posted by: Linda Foley at August 27, 2004 07:19 PM
i am the recruiter. questions? legendary_warrior_usmc@yahoo.com
semper fi
Posted by: sgt martinez at August 27, 2004 10:41 PM
Alexander worked hard at being a son first. He would stay home from school to take care of his youngest brother Nathaniel on days his Mom was not able to. He assisted paying for the down payment of Victoria's house in Maine out of the money he earned in his first tour of duty. He would thank me for giving him his allowance because money was an issue for his Mom, his brothers and himself. He was proud of the choice he made. To say, that money was not a factor is wrong. He was the best Marine, son, nephew, cousin, friend any of us could have had. He did everything with enthusiasm. I only wish I could have spent more time with him. All the money in the world could not pay for that wish to come true. Say "Hi" to Nicholas, Sheila. Carlos
Posted by: Carlos Arredondo at October 28, 2004 10:20 PM