Veterans for Peace Other Anti-War Groups Hold Peace Memorial

BOSTON/North End - Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Military Families Speak Out held a Peace Memorial on the Boston waterfront in Christopher Columbus Park on Memorial Day.

Among those who spoke out were Gold Star parents, Melida and Carlos Arredondo (below, center) of Jamaica Plain, MA. Their son Alexander was killed in Iraq.

Click Here to hear remarks made by Melida and Carlos Arredondo.

The following biographies of the couple can be found atwww.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/142.html

"Carlos Arredondo learned his son Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, USMC was killed in action in An Najaf, Iraq on August 25, 2004. It was Alex' second tour of duty. He had recently turned 20. That day was also Carlos' 44th birthday. When advised of his son's death, Carlos, due to anguish and grief, set afire a USMC van and 26% of his body was burned in the process. These images were broadcast worldwide and resonated for many as the ultimate anguish of a father having lost his son in war."

"Mélida Arredondo is Carlos' wife and both Alexander and Brian's step-mom. She has supported her family through the tragedies of Alexander's death as well as Carlos' burn related injuries. She has been active in reaching out to the USMC on the details of Alex' death as well as finding both economic and professional support for her family and herself. She recently has had several articles printed in Boston local papers on the impacts of the war on military families."