Stand Up Guy of the Week: Diego Arredondo

So once a week I will write about someone who's inspired me in some way. This week I'm writing about my boy Diego Arredondo aka D aka Dondo. Now I met D through his wife Z when I was working down in NC. Z, Nick, Mel, Sprizatt, and myself all worked together and like any group of people who works together you become friends. Z was always talking about this guy she was dating and how we would like him. I was skeptical because I don't like anyone, but we told her to bring him over and we'd check him out. He came by my office one day and the kid was was laid back and funny. He was laughing at my jokes so instantly he was a winner in my book because my ego leads me to liking anyone who thinks I'm funny. As we hung out more I got to know D and we developed a bond. He was like 21 or 22 at the time had deployed to Iraq at least once and had lost a friend so we had somethings in common. We would spend Sundays together watching football, eating, drinking, and playing scrabble or video games. He became a younger brother to me. The kid embodied all things I felt were important. When he told me Z was pregnant and I wasn't shocked but I could tell he was a little nervous. He started talking about getting married and all the responsibility he was about to take on. But the kid stepped up big and put himself in the position to be a father to his child and Z's little girls. He manned the fuck up. He treats those little girls like they were his own and that to me is the biggest thing any man can do. To watch the way he developed over our friendship from the kid who just wanted to drink and buy shoes to really holding down the fort and taking care of his kids was awesome to me. When he moved up to VA we lived together while he was waiting for his family to come up. When shit the fan for me on several occasions he was a phone call away or on the way to help me put shit back together. I've met plenty of people in the Marine Corps but this kid is one of those people who you thank god for putting into your life because he brings something you cant find in most people. He's a friend, I know I can take into any situation and he has my back, unless there's clowns involved because dude turns bitch at the sight of a clown. If you want to know what it takes to be a man and great father and better friend sit down and have a conversation with Diego Arredondo. Loyalty, Respect, and Honor this kid has enough to pass some out. You sir are My Stand Up Guy of the Week. Holla

Hutch