Congratulations my friend Carlos. Your dream is coming true. You are an asset to our country.
Five and one half years after application for citizenship
Boston, Massachusetts - Carlos Arredondo of Roslindale, MA on Friday, December 1, 2006, learned that he would be granted his US citizenship on 12/12/06 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Previously denied his application for citizenship, he did not ascertain the reason via the appeal process at that time. Arredondo first entered the United States via the Mexico -- Arizona border in January of 1980. He last filed for citizenship in March of 2001.
Known for his very public grief response, Arredondo learned that Lcpl. Alexander Arredondo, USMC was killed in action on August 25, 2004, his 44th birthday. When informed of his son's death, he set fire to a US Marine van and himself. No charges were filed against him. Following physical recuperation from burns sustained on 26% of his body; Arredondo apologized in person to the USMC Casualty Assistance Team.
In July of 2006, Arredondo traveled to Camp Pendleton, California to meet with twenty Marines who had served with his son in Iraq. He was provided an original of the bronze star commendation that Alex received for valor. Together Marines and father shared memories of Alex, discussed how Alex was killed and mourned their great loss.
Since Alex's death, Arredondo has reached out to others who have lost their military family members. He has spoken publicly in English and Spanish on the topics of PTSD impacting military families and the story of Alex's life and death. He is a volunteer for the West Roxbury Veteran's Administration hospital where he has met troops and their families and the American Red Cross disaster response team. He previously volunteered for the Boston Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
Carlos Arredondo is married to Mélida Arredondo and has one surviving son, Brian Luis Arredondo. Prior to Alex's death, he had requested as part of his citizenship application to change his formal name to Alexander Brian Arredondo in honor of his two sons who he refers to as his "American Dream."
He is co-founder of People United for Peace, A Gold Star Family Project, a member of Gold Star Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families for Peace. He and his wife have established two memorial scholarships in Alex's name at the Blue Hills Regional Technical High School located in Canton and Sacred Heart School located in Roslindale.
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