Hispanic heros unlikely friendship with Boston Marathon survivor
Jeff Bauman, 27, and Carlos Arredondo, 52, have an unlikely friendship, one crafted by a twist of fate which tossed them in each other’s paths…
Jeff Bauman, left, and Carlos Arredondo, right, have shared several memorable moments together since the day Arredondo helped save Bauman’s life last year at the cite of the Boston Marathon explosions. (Courtesy Melissa Arredondo)
Jeff Bauman, 27, and Carlos Arredondo, 52, have an unlikely friendship, one crafted by a twist of fate which tossed them in each other’s paths April 15th, 2013.
The day of the Boston Marathon explosions Arredondo and Bauman’s first encounter was immortalized by AP photographer Charles Krupa. In a photo that captured the pain, drama and uncertainty experienced by many on that day, a determined Arredondo sporting his signature cowboy hat helps push a disheveled-looking and extremely injured marathon runner, Jeff Bauman, to safety.
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In this April 15, 2013 file photo, an emergency responder and volunteers, including Carlos Arredondo in the cowboy hat, push Jeff Bauman in a wheel chair after he was injured in an explosion near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) File)
Arredondo, a Costan Rican native, was passing out American flags to people watching the race from the sidelines when the bombs went off.
When he spotted Bauman laying injured on the floor he ran to his side to help him. Arredondo believes he acted on pure instinct and adrenaline.
“I thought, ‘How am I going to get him out of here?,’” said Arredondo in an interview with a Hispanic media outlet.
“And then I saw this miracle woman coming with a wheelchair,” he remembered.
“And it saved his life.”
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He also attributes his quick response time to the years he spent in his homeland working as a rodeo clown, helping fallen riders escape the wrath of angry bulls.
“Years of doing that kind of adrenaline, you’re rushing in and out, running up and out to get people out of there,” said Arredondo. “In a way I was training myself for the Boston Marathon.”
While Bauman was still recovering, Arredondo visited him several times at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital but since then Arredondo and Bauman have had the opportunity to make more pleasant memories together.
Carlos Arredondo, left, puts his arm around Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman, as James Taylor, unseen, performs “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch of Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
They’ve gone to Boston Red Sox baseball games together, watched hockey team the Boston Bruins play against the Chicago Blackhawks, gone to charity galas and participated in a version of the old game show Hollywood Squares.
In an interview shortly after the Boston Marathon bombings Arredondo said of Bauman:
“It’s nice to have a friend, someone that age,” and added “I don’t think this bond is going to end after the cameras go away.”
Bauman’s wife also commented that when Bauman first saw Arredondo after the bombings, a huge smile was instantly plastered on his face.
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“He had a big smile, as if he had seen one of his kids,” she said.
Now, a year after the day destiny placed Arredondo and Bauman at a crossroads, Arredondo’s schedule consists mainly of benefit events and special appearances.
He obtains government disability benefits and doesn’t have a full-time job. Since his son Alex’s death in Iraq in 2004 and the van burning incident in South Florida, Arredondo hasn’t held steady employment and depends on “good will and recognition” for his daily bread.
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Boston Marathon bombing hero Carlos Arredondo gives a thumbs-up as he walks on the field during pre-game ceremonies before a baseball game in between the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, April 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
