Father of Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo who died Aug. 25 as result of enemy action in An Najaf, Iraq. Alexander was 20 years old at the time of his death.

Stricken with grief upon hearing of his son's death, Carlos reportedly went to the van of the informing marines, lit it on fire and climbed inside. Despite 2nd and 3rd degree burns over one quarter of his body, he attended his son's funeral on a stretcher with two paramedics at each side.

Mr. Arredondo was an immigrant from Costa Rica. With help from US Senator Edward Kennedy, Carlos became a full US Citizen on December 12, 2006. He and his wife, Melida, are members of Gold Star Families for Peace. Mr. Arredondo is now an antiwar activist who tours the country providing speaking engagements that focus on the methods recruiters use to enlist youth.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Arredondo)