Father who set himself on fire upon hearing of his son's death in Iraq - 5 years later

[proud2BlibKansan]

In the front yard of the former Hollywood home of the Arredondo family stands a small rose bush, a brown cross carved from their white picket fence and a large black mark scorched on the roadway.

All are reminders of that dark day five years ago when Carlos and Melida Arredondo turned from patriotic parents supporting their soldier son in battle to assertive activists wanting to end the war that took their child from them.

On that day, Aug. 25, 2004, Marines visited the Arredondos' home to tell them that Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo had been killed in Najaf, Iraq. It was Carlos' 44th birthday.

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What happened next pushed the grieving father into national news headlines.

His green eyes redden in retelling the story. ''I find myself lost in all this,'' he said.

He plucked a five-gallon tank of gas from the garage, along with a propane torch and a hammer. He smashed the windows, yelling, hearing his mother's screams all the while.

He doused the van with gasoline, and it soaked his shorts and socks, as well. He squeezed the propane lighter. The flames started shooting from the van; the explosion knocked him back.

more . . . http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/breaking-news/story/1087567.html

[QueenOfCalifornia]

1. You know I have

a soft spot for the Arrendondo's.

It is a tragic story.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Carlos is a wonderful man

And his wife Melida is a sweetheart.