Unveiling Ceremony of Danny Dietz Monument Family Day at Berry Park, Littleton, Colorado, July 4, 2007

Patsy Dietz, widow of Danny Dietz, wrote a letter to the Blast . Here is her comment from the ceremony:

July 4th two years ago the family and I got the news that Danny was dead. Two years later we stand in front of a statue that resembles this hero based on one of the last pictures he sent to me from Afghanistan. Danny is already part of Naval history, part of the Teams history, but now he is part of the history of Colorado where he was born and buried. People will learn as thev read about him and look at this statue that freedom comes at a price; that men like the ones that gave the ultimate sacrifices in June 28th 2005 are the men willing to go out there and come face to face with evil with no fear. lt takes a special breed of men to do that and Danny was one. "To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is never to die."

To say this day will live long in the hearts of many folks who attended the unveiling of a bronze statue in Littleton, Colorado would possibly be an understatement in the least. The air was a nice 80 degrees with clear skies and ideal surroundings. With a covered grandstand with 16 seats for the special speakers and family located in the middle of West Berry Street, directly in line with the subject statue, a crowd of several hundred people from all walks of life came together in common determination to honor an American Hero who had given his all on the battle field against terrorism.

On June 28,2005, Gunner's Mate Second Class Danny Dietz was killed in action while operating as a member of SEAL Team 10 in the country of Afghanistan. On July 4, 2005, the families and next of kin were notified of the status of those who were lost. A large and varied "family" came together in Littleton this day. There was the Navy Family, the Military Family, the Community Family and the Family of Danny Dietz. Following a flyover by the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Donald C. Winter, RearAdmiral Joseph D. Kernan; Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, and SEAL Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton were speakers on behalf of the Navy Family. U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo from Danny's Colorado District, and the Mayor of Littleton; Jim Taylor represented the com-munityfamily. Danny's sister, Tiffany Bitz spoke for the family in an emotional dedication to her brother.

And at the request of the family, Johnny Bulford sang a song he wrote dedicated to the lost heroes of SEAL Team 10 called "Remember the Brave," which paid tribute to each lost member.

Several members of Front Range Crossfit. a physical fitness organization which Danny had been a member of, paid tribute by doing a special workout in the park following the unveiling. Neighbors sat in lawn chairs in homes around the park, while other neighbors hung Navy flags from a backyard tree house.

The Military family was well represented with many Armed Forces veteransand a large group of The Gathering of Eagles organization. The route to the end of the park up West Bery Street was lined with over 100 American Flags carried by members of the Combat Veteran's Motorcycle Association, Northern Chapter. They all lined up to pay the final tribute to pass before Danny's statue each carrying a rose and carying an American flag. Some saluted, while others knelt or simply stood at attention for a moment.

(Special to the BLAST by Vern Waldrio)