- Assembly called “The Cost of War” by Carlos Arredondo, in Dewey Square
Carlos Arredondo was a regular presence at Occupy Boston’s camp at Dewey Square. With a sparkle in his eye, he would make a child or adult smile with a kind word, and he would explain every detail of his Camp Alex tent to anyone with the time and interest. Camp Alex commemorated his son Alex, who was killed in the Iraq war in 2004, and contained photographs of Alex, letters he had written home from Iraq, Alex’s combat boots and dog tag, and many other artifacts. Now, tragically, Carlos is commemorating his other son’s passing.
Brian Luis Arredondo took his own life in Norwood, Massachusetts, on the 19th of December, 2011. Brian survived his brother, Alexander, by seven years, three months, and twenty four days. Brian is survived by his father and stepmother, Carlos and Melida Arredondo, and his mother, Victoria Foley. Those close to him said that Brian never fully recovered from the loss of his brother, Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, to a sniper’s bullet in Najaf, Iraq.
Brian was “broken” on the day his brother died, according to Carlos Arredondo. Brian was living in Maine at the time. His mother had moved to Bangor three months earlier, to make a new start in life. Carlos and Melida had moved to Florida to be near Melida’s elderly mother. On August 25th, 2004, three U.S. Marines and a Chaplain showed up at Brian’s house in Maine. They would not say why they were there, although Brian knew, but requested to speak with Brian’s mother, Victoria, who was not home at the time. Continue reading “The High Cost of War for One Family” »
