Carlos Arredondo hailed as hero for Boston Marathon rescue efforts

[deutsey]

Source: Gaurdian

The aftermath of many public disasters sees the swift emergence of a public hero to counterpoint the tragedy. With the Boston Marathon explosions, this person is even more extraordinary than usual: a cowboy-hatted peace campaigner and bereaved father called Carlos Arredondo.

The 52-year-old Costa Rican immigrant is visible in a series of photos and videos taken immediately after the twin blasts near the race finish line. The distinctive, long-haired figure sprints across the street to tear away fencing and scaffolding to get to victims. Reports said he used his own clothes and towels to try to staunch bleeding.

In one particularly graphic photograph, Arredondo can be seen seemingly pinching shut the end of an artery on the part-severed leg of a man being carried away in a wheelchair. "I kept talking to him. I kept saying: 'Stay with me, stay with me,'" Arredondo told the newspaper Maine Today.

SNIP

Arredondo's story appears equally dramatic and harrowing. He was reportedly waiting at the finish to greet a runner who was competing in the race in memory of his son, Alexander Arredondo, a lance corporal in the US marines who was killed by a sniper in 2004 in Iraq.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/16/carlos-arredondo-hero-boston-marathon

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Just heard Carlos interviewed on Democracy Now!



Carlos went on to become a peace activist after his son was killed in Iraq. His other son later committed suicide.

I think this poor man has been through enough.

[Buzz Clik]

1. +1

[hlthe2b]

2. This man has clearly dealt with his own signficant loss by trying to help others...

The epitome' of "paying it forward".... I'm glad he was there to help.

[raging moderate]

3. Thank you, Carlos Arredondo!

Magnificent.

[Berlum]

4. + 1

k and r

[Melinda]

5. Pure love shines from the face of Carlos Arredondo (video)

and through his selfless acts. What a wonderful example for us all. My prayer is that he continue to find peace...

When I despair,
I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.

Think of it - always.

Mahatma Gandhi

[freshwest]

20. Thanks, Melinda. Best post I've seen on all of this. Pure love shines forth.

[Le Taz Hot]

21. That is an amazine video!

I can't figure out if he's shaking because he's cold or from shock. My guess is the latter. And the blood on his flag and on his sleeves . . .

Powerful testament to the Good People of this world that we too often forget are there.

[DiverDave]

6. God Damn those bombers

To have someone have to live with those images is...just mind numbing.

Carlos may need some help to get past this
I know I would.
Pinching of a spurting artery...god damn those bombers

[cosmicone]

7. I salute you, Mr. Arredondo. n/t

[LeftishBrit]

8. A real hero.

[Blue Palasky]

9. hero

[superman7515]

10. Presidential Citizens Medal

Sign the petition to award the Presidential Citizens Medal to Carlos Arredondo for exemplary deeds to his fellow citizens on the White House petitions site... https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/award-carlos-arredondo-presidential-citizens-medal-exemplary-deeds-boston-marathon-april-15-2013/kcS2CGm2

[hrmjustin]

12. At this sad time I welcome you superman7515 to DU!

[deutsey]

13. Thank you for posting this!

And welcome to DU!

[SunSeeker]

14. Signed!

I was the 99,925th signature.

Welcome to DU, superman 7515!

[appacom]

15. I just did. Thank you for bringing this over. I was about to do so when I saw your post.

[undeterred]

17. Thanks

I signed.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. Signed and tweeted! Thanks superman7515!

And welcome to DU! It's great to have you with us!

[Le Taz Hot]

22. Done and thanks for the link.

And welcome to DU!

[Marrah_G]

11. Amazing

[Skittles]

16. .

[Hell Hath No Fury]

18. He and wife Melida -

were interviewed by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! today -- well worth a listen to/watch. They are both pretty much trying to hold it together after the suicide of their remaining son. The bombing seems to have had brought on a PTSD response -- Melida mentioned they were both going to seek mental health care in the aftermath, and encouraged other victims to do the same. So much pain for so many....

[HughBeaumont]

23. Glad to see DUers acknowledging Carlos and praising his actions.

Glad to see we respect heroes, this man who I marched alongside in an Anti-War demonstration in D.C., who have seen real tragedy and think nothing of helping his fellow humans out in times of need.

In 2007, at that very same demonstration, some less-evolved pigboys gave his courage, his heroics, his sacrifice and honor quite a different reception.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1845279

Telling also is the 1%er Arm . . .er . . sorry, DC police, not even taking a 5 on 1 assault on a Gold Star father seriously. Nary an arrest despite blatant photographic proof. Really doing their best to "protect and serve" there . . .

Just goes to show the difference between those of us who live in a "WE" society and people who are human failures in life.