Marathon hero hopes to meet pope in D.C.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2015/09/marathon_hero_hopes_to_meet_pope_in_dc



LUCKY GUY: Carlos Arredondo is headed to Washington next week and will be in a group audience with Pope Francis.

Marathon hero hopes to meet pope in D.C.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
O’Ryan Johnson

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“He feels really humbled,” said his wife, Melida Arredondo. “He’s just a guy from Costa Rica who lost his sons, then the bombing happened. It’s just very overwhelming. His mother is ecstatic about it. He never expected anything like this.”

He is expected to meet with the pope in a group audience next Wednesday. She said both she and her husband are practicing Catholics who are inspired by the Holy Father’s message, particularly as it applies to immigration.

“He’s saying a lot of things about unity, about people, the migrant situation and immigrant situation in a time when there’s a lack of hope and people are treating each other badly when it comes to their borders,” she said. “The Holy Father is calling them out on it.”

Arredondo’s first son, a U.S. Marine, was killed fighting in Iraq. His second son took his own life. Arredondo is credited with helping save lives during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 by clearing debris and applying first-aid to one of the victims.

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I first met Carlos on Boston Common, probably around 2005. Carlos was at Arlington East, were we put up 2,759 crosses representing dead Americans in our Middle East adventures.

http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/index.php?q=ae

http://www.capecodpeaceandjustice.org/imgs/AE2/AE2-Pages/Image10.html

Alex's casket with memories as displayed by his father, Carlos