Monday, September 17th, 2007
Gold Star Father Kicked Defending Dead Son's Memorial ... by Mélida Arredondo
Mélida Arredondo is the stepmother of Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, killed in Iraq, Aug. 25, 2004.
Carlos Arredondo, 47 year old father of two sons, arrived in the nation's capitol on Monday, 09/10/07 to share a memorial he has made to honor for his eldest son, Alex. Carlos has visited thirty of the United States with the traveling memorial to his son Alexander. Lcpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, USMC was killed on 08/25/04. He was 20 years and 20 days old. The memorial consists of a casket, poster- size photographs of Alex when he graduated from boot camp, before his second tour in Iraq, lying in state at his wake, and a photo of Alex with his younger brother Brian.
Saturday, September 15, 2007 consisted of first a rally, a march towards the capitol and then a die-in. Carlos pulled the memorial along the march route approaching the rotunda near the capitol building. Several of the marchers requested for him to speak about the memorial where a crowd gathered around him. After finishing, several people walked with Carlos as he pulled the memorial. Several pictures of Alex dressed in his blues were attached to the display.
As Carlos passed counter protesters, one man ripped a picture of Alex from the memorial. Carlos leaped on the man to retrieve the picture. It was at that point that approximately five others all began to attack Carlos by kicking him in the head, legs, stomach and back.
The Capitol police bicycle patrol then appeared to break up the fight. Several officers including a female officer were engaged in breaking up the fight and were able to stop any further injuries from occurring. Hannah Jones who was walking with Carlos was also assaulted.
A bystander named Ramesh witnessed the whole encounter and also retrieved the picture of Alex for Carlos. He was quite distressed at how he watched the men yelling epithets follow Carlos as he pulled the memorial, and eventually take Alex's photograph. Soon, an ambulance showed up as well as many concerned activists. The paramedics provided first aid to Carlos but he did not seek further medical attention. Carlos sustained bloody cuts on his shins. He also reported bruises all over his torso and head where he was kicked.
I will send updates on Carlos and his work in DC as I am able.
Mélida Arredondo,
Remembering Alex Arredondo and all those
who died too young at war to aid the Iraqi people
and his own nation, the USA,
and while protecting his buddies...
08/05/84 - 08/25/04
2007-09-19 08:56:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
This isn't a political issue, but if you want to make it one, attacking soldiers and the ones that love them has long a Liberal trait.
2007-09-19 09:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by null 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
This does not mean that all Republicans act this way... this just shows that some people are a**-holes on both sides of the spectrum.
This shows an argument that there is not really a "liberal-bias" like so many people on here cry about.... there was very little notice of this story in the news.
2007-09-19 16:04:54 · answer #2 · answered by cattledog 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear of this. Even when you disagree with another person whether it be a religious or political issue you should still have some respect for their point of view. Using violence is never the right thing to do unless your life is in immediate and grave danger. These counter protesters should be ashamed of themselves. If they want to to fight for the cause so bad send them to the front line in Iraq.
2007-09-19 16:03:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This type of thing is not typical of Republican behavior. Physical resistance and violence during such a somber ceremony has typically been a far left Democrat trait.
But where here does anyone proclaim party affiliation through this incident ?
2007-09-19 16:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Robert S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is nothing new for the right-wing. They have nothing but contempt for the Constitution and the liberties our soldiers die to protect.
Even back in World War 2 these bigots (or rather their grandparents) were known for harassing and beating black soldiers--because they didn't want to admit they were better americans than these white trash. given the ethnicity, that's probably part of the motive here.
2007-09-19 16:06:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, where does it say Republicans? After all, President Bush is a republican, and he sent the troops over there in the first place, so CLEARLY the repubs support the troops and wars.
But then again, it doesn't say Democrats either.
2007-09-19 16:04:02 · answer #6 · answered by Kristin B © 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Understand that during a march such as that, any aggressive action will be met with force. When your friend jumped on someone, the police (democrat or republic, whatever they may be) jumped on him in defense. That's life.
2007-09-19 16:02:32 · answer #7 · answered by nita5267 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure had his son been there he would have done the same thing. You people who use parental grief for political reasons disgust me. These guys were volunteers, their parents weren't. Lets respect the soldiers wishes not the distraught parents regrets shall we?
2007-09-19 16:05:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
While I do not agree with him using his son's memory in that manner, I must say that I am ashamed of those who would claim to be of my party (if they were..it didn't say) acting in such a disgraceful manner...
2007-09-19 16:03:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
where is the part that mentioning Republican???
but I am 100% sure most of the Protesters are Democrats.
2007-09-19 16:01:55 · answer #10 · answered by Samm 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋