July Fourth, 2007 belonged to U.S. Navy SEAL Danny Dietz as more
than 2,000 people honored the Littleton son who died fighting in
Afghanistan two years prior.
A bronze statue of Dietz was unveiled in Berry Park following
moving tributes that brought tears to the eyes of grown men and
resounded a message of gratitude and community spirit.
April 3, 2009 also belongs to Dietz — and so does a portion of
Santa Fe Drive.
State Reps. Joe Rice and Frank McNulty, and Sen. Mike Kopp
presented a resolution honoring the memory of Petty Officer Danny
Dietz, Jr., by dedicating a section of Santa Fe Drive as the “Navy
SEAL Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr., Memorial Highway.”
“It shows that they have gratitude,” said his father, Dan Dietz.
“That means a lot. They're recognizing true courage.”
Dietz, 25, was killed on June 28, 2005 after he and three other
Navy SEALs were ambushed by al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan.
Critically wounded, Dietz fought off attackers for more than 45
minutes, allowing one of his team members to escape.
Dietz was shot 16 times on the day, which is touted as the
single worst day of American casualties in the war in
Afghanistan.
He earned the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross,
among other decorations for his actions.
At the time he was the only Littleton resident to be killed in
the Middle East conflicts.
Both Rice and Kopp are neighbors of the Dietz family in
Littleton and both have military service in their backgrounds. Both
say the memorial is about recognizing Dietz’s service to a cause
greater than himself and to his parents and family for continuing
to share his story, to inspire that service in young Coloradans as
well.
“It’s not just to recognize him, but it’s the lessons his life
teaches us all,” Rice said. “This country does need people like
Danny Dietz.”
The Dietz family is now trying to raise money for signs to mark
the roadway. They cost about $1,500 a piece. Checks can be sent to
the City of Littleton at 2255 W. Berry Ave, Littleton, CO, 80165.
Put "Danny Dietz Fund" in the memo line.
