Walpole, Massachusetts – In a Boston suburb, vandals defaced the gravestone of a 20-year-old Marine who lost his life to a sniper’s bullet while on his second tour of duty on Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, USMC was laid to rest on September 4, 2004 in Rural Cemetery located in Walpole, Massachusetts, and the site of a family-owned plot. "The vandalism took place sometime prior to September 28th", according to Carlos Arredondo, Alex’s father who last visited the gravesite days before.
Arredondo Senior frequently visits the cemetery to keep his son’s plot decorated and neat. On Sunday, October 28th, 2007 an Iraqi American doctor, a videographer and two Viet Nam war veterans requested that Carlos and his wife, Mélida lead them to a visit to Rural Cemetery to pay homage to Alex. "All of us were stunned and saddened by this act of desecration," stated Mélida Arredondo.
The Walpole police department was called immediately and a report was filed. Carlos and his son Brian Arredondo returned to the gravesite the following day to clean the tombstone and to sand the scratches out of the granite. The pictures above were taken prior to cleaning. If you have information on this matter, please contact the Walpole Police Department at (508) 668-1095 or by sending an email to info@walpolepd.com.
Alex, as friends and family called him, was 20 years and 20 days old when he was killed while part of the siege in An Najaf, Iraq on 08/25/04.
A second troop who was killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom is also buried at Rural Cemetery. No sign of vandalism or disturbance was noted at that or any other gravesite.
4 comments:
Is this the Carlos who was recently beaten and kicked in DC?
Carlos is the father of the Marine whose gravesite was vandalized. He travels the country pulling behind him a coffin that is covered in his son's pictures, carries his boots and dogtags and protests the war. Earlier this year Carlos was beaten and kicked by members of the Gathering of Eagles who did not like his display at an anti-war protest.
Carlos is also the father who set himself on fire when he learned of his son's death (which was also the day of Carlos own birthday). You may remember that.
I have met Carlos on a number of occasions. He is a very soft spoken, nonassuming, humble and gracious man who has much love and caring for the other people of this world. My heart and my love go out to this family.
You can Google Carlos if you'd like more information on him. Believe me, there's plenty out there!
Peace,
Amy
Leaving a comment in appreciation for the information of this story. Sept 2007 and there is a vicious attack on Carlos emotionally as well as his personal body. Then a month later, his son's grave is defaced. This family has endured so much already. It hurts to see how cruel some Americans can be at a time when a much more needed kind of lifting each other up in support is needed for military families with deployed loved ones.
I just happened to be looking for a friend when I saw this very SAD NEWS...
America is too strong not to appreciate the ones who gave their LIVES $ 4 it...
I will pray the angels will come and GIVE HIM REAL PEACE soon...
I was sad and had to make this comment to your post... Didnt read much... Just the sad news...
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND PEOPLE that gave their lives 4 it
Peace out
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