Dem club will discuss Iraq

The Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley and the Global Exchange Speaker's Bureau will present a program with Carlos and Mlida Arredondo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wed., July 12 at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

On Aug. 25, 2004, Carlos Arredondo was informed by U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) representatives that his son, Marine Lcpl. Alexander Arredondo, had been killed in action in An Najaf, Iraq. Overcome with grief, Carlos Arredondo set himself and the USMC van on fire, sustaining burns over 26 percent of his body.

The story was broadcast worldwide and the many articles written about the incident brought this one family's tragedy into national attention. Since then, Arredondo and his wife, Mlida, have traveled across the country to bring their story to the American people.

Carlos Arredondo has participated in the "Bring Them Home Now Tour" with Gold Stars Families for Peace and Military Families Speak Out where he met with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark and Kofi Annan.

Melida Arredondo has been active in reaching out to the USMC on the details of their son's death and has had several articles printed in Boston newspapers on the impacts of the war on military families. Mlida spoke at Boston University during the "Bring Them Home Now Tour" and has been involved in community organizing on issues relating to immigrants for almost 20 years.

This is a free event open to the public. For event information, visit www.conejodemocrats.com or call (805) 675-8785.