This man has given more to this country than most of us.
From the Huffington Post:
One of the most-photographed heroes of the Boston Marathon has been Carlos Arredondo, 52, who most famously pictured helping a man in a wheelchair who has lost part of his leg in the explosion. In other videos and images, he’s seen running toward the blast and pulling away debris to help those who were hurt.
But as Christina Costantini points out for Univision, Arredondo — the father of a Marine who lost his life in Iraq in 2004 — originally came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant.
According to a 2005 story in the Washington Post, Arredondo was born in Costa Rica and came to the United States without authorization when he was 19. In 2004, his son, Alex, died while serving in the Iraq War.
He gave America his son. Literally. He helped save many American lives yesterday. He is an American, by virtue and sacrifice if not legally. Perhaps our Congress, and one political party in particular, can see way to end their bigotry, obstruction, and demonization and see fit to make this man a documented citizen.
Look at this video, and how violently he is shaking and trembling…
God bless you Carlos.
That video is so moving. What a wonderful, wonderful man.
Holy cow.
I’m sure that some of the usual fools will do their usual demagoguery over the next few weeks. But when they do, the thought of Carlos running over to help in the face of unknown personal danger will be the happy place that I go to in my mind.
Lots of people have reasons why America is the greatest country in the world. This guy is one of my reasons.
Let him be who he is without judgment … a hero.
He actually lost BOTH of his sons- one killed in Iraq and the other committed suicide in 2011 eleven after the brother was killed in Iraq.
He gave All, yet is still giving.
I wish God’s peace for him.
Aoine Gracias para este informacion estoy muy triste.
Por supuesto mija…….recuerdo la gente en Costa Rica, ellos son muy amable y tranquila también.
Siento triste por este hombre, espero por La Paz del Señor por el y su familia.
Cuídate!
In the still shot, Carlos is helping with an injured man. How? He is holding the man’s femoral artery between his fingers so the man doesn’t bleed out. In the uncropped photo, the lower half of the man’s leg is gone; only his bones remain. I have asked myself today, would I have been strong enough to do what Carlos Arredondo did?
@Another Mike. It’s interesting that you say that. I saw the full photo as well and had a long conversation with my girlfriend last night about that very question. Could I have done that? Could I have run toward the blaqsts and carried people out if required. I really hope so.
Ultimately, in times likes that it’s us (reasonable human beings) versus them (sub-human maniacs). I hope that if I’m ever faced with that I remember this…
As far as Mr Arredondo, what can you say. The guy’s is an example for all of us.
Oh and I don’t know if it was stated or if it’s clear, but I read that he is a US citizen now. Sent to the front of the line because his son died in service. George W Bush law actually…
Man, I hope the new fines aren’t THAT steep.