A Humanitarian, Leader on Immigrant Issues, Gold Star Brother, and Friend
Has Left Our World
By
Melida Arrendondo
xBoston, MA - Carlos and I are pained to know of the passing of Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009).
Senator Ted Kennedy went out of his way to meet our family on several different occasions. In October of 2006, he honored our family by reading from a letter our son the late Lcpl. Alexander Arredondo wrote at a Memorial Concert and Tribute to Today's War Heroes held in Worcester, MA.
Senator Kennedy was also a man who provided enduring support to our immigrant family. He utilized a change in federal law prioritizing Gold Star family members to receive their citizenship when related to the death of fallen military kin. As a consequence, Carlos Arredondo was sworn in as US citizen on 12/12/2006, the first Gold Star father to receive citizenship as a consequence of a military death.
Senator Kennedy was also a donor to the Lcpl. Alexander Scott Arredondo memorial scholarship set up at the Blue Hills Regional Technical High School in Canton, MA where Alex had graduated (refer to attached letter).
A Gold Star brother due to the loss of Joe Kennedy, we witnessed how Senator Kennedy dedicated time to meet families of the fallen who had died as a result of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. His compassion and concern were genuine and true.
In addition, Senator Kennedy was instrumental in legislation that created community health centers, the American for Disabilities Act and the Women, Infants and Childrens (WIC) Program - each of these pieces of legislation having impacted Melida Arredondo's life. She continues to work for a health center, oversees a WIC program and has had a physical disability since birth.
Finally, only God can provide meaning as to why Ted Kennedy, the Lion Senator from Massachusetts, died on 08/25/09. This same date is the 5th year anniversary of the death our son Alexander as well as Carlos' birthdate. As a family, we can only conclude that Senator Kennedy had a strong connection to us and to so many. Therefore, God has willed for that connection to remain throughout our lives so that we always remember the dear Senator from Massachusetts.
The Arredondo family sends their deepest condolences to Mrs. Kennedy, Jeanne Kennedy and all of Senator Kennedy's children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
For further information, contact: Melida Arredondo: Day - 617-740-8129, Eve - 617-323-5623
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2 comments:
Ted sat on Ridenhours My Lai Massacre report for months, til people went around him, IIRC. He scraped together $50k as "reparations" to Cambodia for EIGHT YEARS of "secret" B 52 bombings. That from Shawcross's invaluable "Sideshow". The wars against Central America stormed on, with the usual Dem connivance- Ted was no standout there. Then there is NCLB, which Im told is a disaster, & his creation of HMO's, another albatross.
You will have to excuse me if I shed no tears for this guy.
Sen. Kennedy may have been no blameless saint, but he had at least some saving graces... the one time I most remember him was at Dewey Canyon III, when he was able to get the block within the Mall designated as a permanent place for protesters to camp... Kennedy stood on a trailer, w/ several other public figures, and held an alarm clock or something, to show the countdown until the Supreme Court decided whether the 1,000 or so vets camped there to bring the war home should be allowed to stay. In the '20s Gen MacArthur had been brought in to clear out the Bonus Marchers. Maybe another occupation of the Mall is once again needed as our wars and support for vets demand new attention and outrage.
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