Boston Marathon Explosions: Bystander Carlos Arredondo Compares Finish Line To Iraq War Zone, Remembers Son Killed In Combat

When the bombs set off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon, thousands of bystanders rushed to help the injured people and redirect the incoming runners.The horror and uncertainty over what was going on will be remembered by many for years to come

For Carlos Arredondo, the scene was all too familiar. Active in veteran's groups, Arredondo compared the scene to an Iraq war zone. "It broke everybody's legs. I am covered with blood and still at the scene where the tragedy happened. I saw a puddle of blood and people with lost limbs."

Arredondo and his wife, Melida, were at the VIP stands by the finish line when the bombs detonated, hurting over 130 people. Red Cross trained, Arredondo stayed behind to help. "Two ladies at my left side were knocked unconscious. They lost their legs. I was putting pieces of clothing on their legs to stop the bleeding."

"My first reaction was to run toward the people," he explained. "I was one of the first to help people and God protected me."

Wife Melida said that is just in his nature to help anyone who needs it. "I know my husband and he would go right in."

The couple felt the horrific event hit too close to home, as they remembered their two sons, both passed: one killed in Iraq, and the other took his own life out of grief.

Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo served two tours in Iraq with the Marines. He died in August 2004, devastating his younger brother Brian, who hung himself in 2011.

"They were very close -- Irish twins," said Melida.

"The only document we found with Brian was his brother's death report," said Carlos. "He died of grief."

Melida said she was concerned about the children who were injured in the explosions, and that they made her think of Brian, who couldn't cope with life without Alesander. "He was never quite the same after his brother's death."

Read more on Carlos Arredondo:

Carlos Arredondo, Heroic Bystander At Boston Marathon Bombing, Was Undocumented Immigrant