AN EVENING OF REFLECTION:
Remembering Dondo
Alexander Arredondo was born 08/05/84 and killed at 10:35 Iraq time (3:35 pm EST) on 08/25/04. Carlos Arredondo has traveled the US as means of grieving openly, memoralizing his son and honoring all those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He will speak about Alex and his family, the journey of healing and his experiences meeting other grieving families. This event will be held at the River Green.
Also part of the program:
ZEMYA will sing. Poetry by Pat Frisella.
As dusk nears we will light candles in rememberance of the lives lost in war. Augustin Aguayo will play Flamencan Guitar music and his wife Helga will speak. Origins of Flamenco reflect suffering and loss.
Please scroll down for quotes about or for Alex that fellow troops have listed on www.fallenheroesmemorial.com as well as directions from Boston.
"Arredondo was a stand up Marine. He was one of the few that understood the reality of war. His understanding of the Iraqi people changed my view of the war. He helped me understand the difference between the Iraqi civilian and the enemy. I miss you Dondo. You will never be forgotten." Gabriel Prado of Corvallis Oregon
"Alex, The best memory of you I have is when we were on top of the cliffs at red beach and I was afraid to repel down. You talked me into it. Man all the Raiders miss you and we will NEVER forget you. You were a great guy. Rest in peace Alex. Raider for life and beyond." john of woodlawn, arkansas
"Alex, Where do I begin? As all the Raiders that have been on here before me have said, I miss you Dondo, more than words can describe. I can go back to so many fond memories of us. From climbing school, where we really first got to know each other... where our fears of heights were forgotten and our bonds were formed. We would place pro and jump down like 15 feet to test it to show the others that it was safe. How we ended up driving, what 2 hours to snowboad in Brogdons car... and i broke my tail bone and had to ride back on my stomach in the passenger seat. Then always saying "Bomber" LOL that was the word. Then Iraq came and i have fond memories of you being on my left flank as we all went through the cemetary. You just had an attitude about you that made me smile in the hardest of times... we climbed those T-Barriers in FOB Baker, where we had like 7 people on them.. you climbed up it upside down LOL how great.. always talking about getting back and boarding... TOE SLIDE...HEEL SLIDE!!! And then i had to listen on the radio as all our brothers started falling, and found out that you weren't coming back. It was the first time i had lost someone extremely close to me, it is indescribable. Now, im out, im back home, living safely under our free skies, and theres not a day goes by that i don't think about you Alex, i could go on and on and on about how much i thank you for everything you taught me, everything we shared... but i'm just going to say it like this. I Love You Alex, Forever... until I see you at the gates of heaven.. "WE FEW, WE HAPPY FEW, WE BAND OF BROTHERS, HE WHO SHEDS HIS BLOOD WITH ME, SHALL FOR EVER BE MY BROTHER"" James Reed of Battle Creek, MI
"Dondo, I didn't know you as well as many others did but we are still brothers. Everyone from 1/4 seems to have a story about you and what a great person you were. I remember always trying to find your lane during the boat raid cliff assaults. RAIDER FOR LIFE!!!!" dsmith_raider@yahoo.com of Akron, OH
"Alex, Hey brother, it's me Mendoza. I'm sorry that i've taken so long to do this. Ayup, Pineda, Medina, Bagby, Enrique, Velazquez and I were all hanging out last night and we remembered you. I told 'em about how close those damn hellfires landed in front of us in the cemetary and how you would give me and Velazquez a hard time about smoking. I told 'em about how you would cover me when we were clearing those goddam tombs in the cementery. It's funny to think that i never would have gotten to know you better if you hadn't been on that far right flank of your platoon and me on the far left of mine. I remember you, velazquez, anspach and me fighting for every inch of that cementery. My friend, mostly I remember carrying you down the stairs of that building and hoping to god that the tracks would hurry and come get you. doc soto did everything that he could while we prayed. sadly, the good lord decided that you were due up in heaven. I hope that God gives your family the strength that they need day to day. I can't pretend to know what they are going through, but I hope that they read this and know that you have a whole company of brothers who would do anything for them. my friend, i want you to know that your picture is framed at my house and that my son knows your name. From now until the day i die, i will remember you and make sure that my son tells our embellished stories to his children. From now until the end of time, we shall be remembered. we few, we happy few, we band of brothers. SEMPER FI RAIDERS FOR LIFE DOZA" Carlos E. Mendoza of San Bernardino, CA
"Hey bro. Its me Ayup, I dont even know were to begin, its so hard for me everyday to go on with out you. I talk to crespo and Ssgt. Sandoval somtimes and we talk about how much we miss you bro.And hear I am crying like a little girl right now thinking about what happend that day on the roof.And when I held you in my arms befor they took you away. I relive that moment every day in my head. And just thinking that you were standing right were I was, it kills me bro. It hurts so bad. I love you so much man and miss you more then ever. your brother!!!! Cpl. Michael Ayup 1st BN 4th MAR Alpha co. Raiders Wpns platoon Raider for Life!!!!!" Cpl Michael Ayup of Camp Pendlton CA.
"Well ive been out for about a month and i really cant move on wit my life, yet i havent said goodbye to all thoose i needed to and i def havent said what i needed tosay to you and your fam but i will soon i havent finished what i started writting but im workin on it man, i just want your family to know that you arent forgoten not for a sec" adam of chicago il
"Hey Dondo, it's been two years next week since the worst day in many of our lives. I've thought about that rooftop every day and every night for the past two years. It took a while to understand why it was you and not someone else. Why Dondo? He didn't ever do anything wrong, never hurt anybody. Why? I struggled with this question for a long time and as we come to the anniversary of that fateful day once again I remember why. You were stronger in your faith and your character than anyone I've ever known. The good Lord knew where you were going and He needed more time to work on lost souls like mine. Thank you for being the rock that I can stand on. Thank you for reminding me what life is about and who to live it for. I love you buddy. You are sorely missed and forever will be. "From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" Raider For Life. Semper Fi." Warren Glas of Union Grove, Wisconsin
"Dondo, sorry it has taken so long for me to say good-bye...i have been kinda thinking about this for the past couple of years...now im out of the Marine Corps and all it does it make me look back on everything....I was standing right next to you when it happened...I wish with everything in me there was something i could do...but by going to your families website and reading the letters you sent home it made me realize you were far more braver than any man I have ever known...I am proud to have fought next to you and proud to have been your brother "RAIDER FOR LIFE"....I will see you soon...with all my love..Semper Fi" Cpl Jarred Dorhauer of College Station, TX
"You were a great leader and a great friend Alex. Firm but fair, and always with a smile on your face. You are gone but never forgotten, and I am proud to have known you and called you friend. Raider 4 Life and Semper Fi." Cpl Adam Tresidder of Kuwait
"You'll always be in our hearts Love ya Bro" Lcpl Castor of Grand rapids MI
"To Carlos you pain like so many parents is so great that words could never be able to explain all you gone through and still are going through. Remember your son is now walking with God he is in heaven protecting us. When he was here on earth he wanted to protect his family and his country and now he has a bigger task because now he is helping all of us to reach heaven like he did. Our country would never be as wonderful as it is if it wasn't for men and women that are in the military protecting us always so no one but no take that freedom away from us. Thank you for being into this world a man of honor and courage. God bless you and your family and know we are always praying for you. If you know of others that still have not recieved their quilt please contact me at debeniel@ncn.net and let me know also check my website which is www.freedomquilts.net" Betty Nielsen (Freedom Quilts Inc) of Fonda, IA
"Dondo, I will never forget those long cold boat rides with you during the 11th MEU SOC work up. I will always remember how no matter how bad it got, you always had that smile that made everything seem alright no matter how shitty things were. The company has been up to the 1st Marines Memorial 4 times since your death, and I go up there at least twice a month. I will always remember what your death has taught me, and I will never forget what you sacrificed. Your fellow Raiders will always remember you." 1st Lt Richard Zjawin of A Co 1st BN, 4th Marines
"Mr and Mrs Arredondo, your son was on my Amtrac in OIF I. I was the vehicle commander and watched your son fight bravely during the war. He was a fine young man who had a great sense of humor and had lots of friend. I still have an Iraqi flag hanging in my room with his signature and comments on it. It was a pleasure to serve with him and I am very sorry that he is no longer with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you." Ssgt Kirkland of Jacksonville, Fl
"It saddens me every day when I look into the ranks of First Platoon Raiders and I neither see Lcpl. Arredondo or PFC Skinner. Alex was one of my best and a fine young man. I miss him every day along with Nicholas and I wish I could have them both back. But because I served with great men like Alex, It is his memory that keeps me going strong every day to be the best in what ever I am doing. I have decided to stay in the Marine Corps for as long as the Corps will keep me. I dedicate my time and service to my fallen Warriors. For the rest of my life, I will always be proud to have been that platoon Sgt of Alex and Nicholas. Semper Fi and I will see you again. Respctfully Simon L. Sandoval SSgt USMC Alpha Company Raider 1st Platoon" Simon L. Sandoval of Oceanside Califronia
"I was with him when God took him to a better place and I will say that he is and was one of a kind. He definitely watched out for his fellow Marines on countless missions before the last. I have so much admiration for him eventhough I am much older. To the families.....LCpl Arrendondo was truly a hero to remember everyday of our lives....I will never forget him and Skinner for as long as I live. May God bless you all." SSgt Johns 1/4 Alpha Company of Camp Pendleton, California
"I had Alex in my Company for OIF1 and OIF2, all my young Marines are like sons to me. LCpl Arredondo will, and is still truly missed by his fellow Hero's. His spirit will forever be in Alpha Company, Alpha Raider for life, we love you! "SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME." AN NAJAF, IRAQ AUGUST 2004" 1stSgt Synovec of San DIego, Ca.
"ALEX WAS A GOOD MAN AND I AM SURE HE WAS A EVEN BETTER SOLDIER, WISH I GOT TO KNOW YA BETTER. U WILL BE MISSED DEARLY" SPC JOHN BALIS, US ARMY of FORT SHAFTER HAWAII
"dondo you were my team leader, brother and my friend. i will guide my marines like u guided me. i will never forget you. i love u bro" Lcpl Brittner Eric 1st plt 3rd sqd 3rd team of FOB Duke
"This young man would have been a great leader - they say there is only one born per century - we were short changed. Rest in peace Lance Corporal Arredondo - you affected many lives in a positive manner." T of Iraq
"Rest in peace Raider. You are truly missed." 1stSgt Young, Alpha Raider of FOB Echo Iraq
"Dondo, you're of the greatest guys I ever knew. I've never met anyone that I could joke around with for hours and we'd still make each other laugh. It took an original mind to come up with some of the antics you and I performed, and thats probably one of the biggest things I'll miss about you. You and I were a lot alike, and I'll never forget the times we shared last year in Iraq. Those were some of the best times in my life, and that was largely due to you, and your company. I hope you watch over me and allow yourself to laugh at me now and again, like old times. I love you man, and I'll always have the pictures to remember you." Brent Mills, SS Plt, 1/4 of Conroe, TX
Traveling from the South
Take I-95 North into Maine & go to Exit 25 Kennebunk. Go thru Toll Booth and at Stop Sign Turn Left onto Rt. 35 South to Kennebunk. Go Approx 1 Mile to K’Bunk High School & Turn Left into School Driveway and Park in Parking Lot. Shuttle Buses will then take People to the Rally Site.
Take I-95 North into Maine & go to Exit 25 Kennebunk. Go thru Toll Booth and at Stop Sign Turn Left onto Rt. 35 South to Kennebunk. Go Approx 1 Mile to K’Bunk High School & Turn Left into School Driveway and Park in Parking Lot. Shuttle Buses will then take People to the Rally Site.
Further information on weekend of activities at www.kportprotest.org
Mélida Arredondo,
Remembering Alex Arredondo
who died too young in honor of the Iraqi people
and his own nation, the USA,
and protecting his buddies always
08/05/84 - 08/25/04
Posts
