US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial

Posted By Blackfive

Here are the background links (be sure to read the first two by Froggy):

Froggy Ruminations - SEAL Memorial at the Punchbowl MUST READ
Froggy Ruminations - The One
Pundit Review - Blackfive podcast about the battle
Blackfive (Froggy) - Axelson and Dietz to Receive Navy Crosses
Blackfive (Froggy) - Mike Murphy Beach
Blackfive - "HERO" - SEAL Lieutenant Mike Murphy Considered for MOH
Blackfive - Danny Dietz - Navy SEAL Hero's Memorial Opposed
Blackfive - Marcus Luttrell is "The One" - Sole Surviving Navy SEAL

There was a lot going on around the dedication of the memorial for Danny Dietz.  Here's a report from Froggy Rumminations and Blackfive reader, Nina, about the dedication:

Today is the 4th of July and all around the US and the world, Americans are celebrating and giving thanks for our freedoms. 

The other day I was wondering what to plan for my daughter and I to make today special and meaningful - along with the fun of watching fireworks tonight!   My decision was made when I saw an online article talking about the dedication of the statue of Danny Dietz.

I knew about his service and his sacrifice through reading Froggy's blog along with recent entrees in Matt's.  Thus, since we live in Denver, I wanted in some small way to say thanks to Danny, his family, and all who are serving.

We got to the park just after 9:30 am.  Already there were about 100 people there, not including the many Patriot Guard riders who had been standing guard over Danny's statue.   As time went on - the park slowly filled up.   I took a picture of the covered statue with our Flag standing next to it and a Navy guard alongside. 

Something happened to show us all that this day was even more special. Three different times before the 11am ceremony started - 2 Bald Eagles slowly circled around above us.  It was if they knew what the gathering was about and they were standing guard as well.

Just before the ceremony I took another picture of a line of the Patriot Guard Riders standing from the corner of Berry and King all the way down the street - at least 2-3 blocks worth.  In my mind I termed it the Avenue of Flags because they were all holding an American Flag.

As the ceremony started - I took a quick look around and estimated an incredibly large crowd had gathered. There were many Navy personnel in attendance as well as a few each of Marine, Air Force, and Army.  The crowd was amazing, not one bit of trouble from anyone.   Complete respect was offered by all.

The speakers were as follows:

The Honorable Donald C. Winter - Secretary of the Navy
Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan - Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command
U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo
Medal of Honor Recipient Mike Thornton
Tiffany Bitz - Danny Dietz's sister

Secretary Winter spoke very highly of Danny's service and gave thanks to a community and Danny's family for being the kind of people to raise such a man.

Just after Secretary Winter finished - we had a flyover.  The timing was excellent and I was glad not only to get a good picture, but that my daughter saw it.

Admiral Kernan (sorry if I don't use rank correctly being a civilian) talked about Danny and what a SEAL likes - things like oatmeal (except he doesn't like his raw like Danny did), motorcycles, working out, striving to be your best, and most of all - exemplifying the SEAL ethos that was written so eloquently by someone of Danny's generation.  He read it and told us that all SEALs now carry it with them as well as sign their name to that as an oath. 

Congressman Tancredo told us that he couldn't think of anything better to give a speech on - that Danny's citation would say it all.  So, he read the citation to a very silent crowd who absorbed every word.

Mike Thornton - and the Admiral as well - got a HOAH from a couple of folks in the crowd as they talked about their team members.  Mike told us to remember who Danny was and remember that he died trying not to leave anyone behind.  Mike said that to this day he is not sure that he is deserving of the Medal of Honor - but that he will always remember those he served with and those he has come to know - like Danny.  We as well would be better for it to NEVER FORGET. 

Tiffany had me in tears with her speech.  The family, friends and community of Littleton have been so great to them.   She gave special recognition to the mother of one of Danny's teammates who died with him, and to the wife of one of the men who died trying to save them. She also gave recognition to the young man who is the first recipient of the Danny Dietz scholarship.  She told us that we need to live well and strive to be the best at whatever we do - never forgetting that our FREEDOM is the most important thing to cherish because that freedom gives us the opportunity in this country to attain whatever goal we set for ourselves.

A singer named Johnny Bulford sang a song he wrote called Remember The Brave.  It is an amazing song.  I can only hope that he will record it soon as it isn't on his website as of yet, and I've searched You Tube as well.   It is a song that resonates.  I plan to send a note through his website asking him to post the song.

The statue, up close is amazing and inspiring.  I was glad to see it there and know - as a couple of the speakers said - including Danny's sister -that many school children from now on will walk by Danny's statue and learn about a true American, one we can all aspire and look up to.

So - this 4th of July is an even better one because of today's dedication.  It was one way my daughter and I could say a heartfelt THANK YOU to Danny and to those are are and have served.  And, to remember with thanks those who gave their all.

Update: Mr Wolf sends the link to the Denver Post article about the memorial dedication. The whole piece is very good (so click the link and read it) but the ending line needs to get special attention:

...As the crowd dispersed from Berry Park, 12-year-old Zac Hardy of Centennial said Dietz fit his definition of a hero.

"It's one thing to say you love your country," he said. "It's a whole different level to be willing to die for it. That's a hero."

Amen, Zac, Amen...

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Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz was honored in his hometown of Littleton, Colorado, today with the dedication of a life-sized bronze statue in a park near the home of his family. Dietz was killed during Operation Red [Read More]

Comments

[T. Shaw]

Over at Roman Catholic Blog they have a post "Who are today's saints?"

I nominate Danny Dietz and his teammates.

"Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends." Sorry if I got the quote wrong.

[danielle]

That is a very beautiful statue. I'm glad the children will have a new role model and hero. :D

[Beth* A.]

I hope and pray that Littleton realizes what a monumental treasure they had in Danny Dietz, and how it is incumbent upon them, as it is upon us all, to keep his memory alive and intact by treating that statue with the utmost respect. ALWAYS.

And I hope they take that charge very, very seriously.

[rgrmom82]

I wish I could have been there. God Bless Danny and his brothers. *gulp*

[Texas Gal]

If you haven't read "Lone Survivor" -- and learned of the real strength and the person that was Danny, well, you need to do so. That young man had it right, he's a hero.

Was pleased to see last Sunday, that "Lone Survivor" was #6 on the NYTimes non-fiction list! Bet that went down hard. Do go read about Danny... what an incredible statue, and thanks to the author for sharing such a personal experience.

[Kirsten]

To follow up- I just came back from the statue where I went to pay my respects over my lunch hour. It's in an unobtrusive park close to my office. At first I almost overlooked it- the park and the monument both. I was only there about 30 minutes, during which time at least 20 people came. I'd guess many were Vietnam vets. Many people, including myself, were moved to tears. I brought a single flower, but once there, it didn't seem right, since the statue sort of speaks for itself. So I left it by a small vase of hand-cut garden roses that someone had placed on the adjoining picnic table. The entire scale of things is perfect- a life size stature of a larger than life man. BTW, I'm about 2/3 of the way through Lone Survivor, right after Marcus is left alone. It's a must read. Wondering if Marcus was there yesterday...

[Uncle Jimbo]

Wow it is cool to see all those flags.

We are allowed to have heroes, men like this force the whole country to recognize.

Blue Skies Danny.

Cordially,

Uncle J

[HomefrontSix]

I finished reading "Lone Survivor" last night and I am speechless. From previous stories here, I knew that the story was incredible but it is truly amazing. Danny Dietz, Matt Axelson, and Michael Murphy along with Marcus Luttrell are heroes in the truest sense of the word and my prayers remain with them and their families. I look forward to the day I can explain to my children who they were and what they did.

I wish I could have been there for the dedication. I look forward to being able to visit the memorial one day soon and pay my respects.

[Steve]

I have already promised Cindy Dietz (Danny's mom) that our family will never forget his sacrifice. My son will know of Danny's heroism as soon as he is old enough to understand. I also told Mrs. Dietz that after reading Marcus Luttrell's account of that battle in the Hindu Kush, I am of the opinion that Danny should be considered for the MOH. Danny was the one who repeatedly laid down the covering fire while the others had to fall back. Not to diminish the heroic acts of that entire SEAL element but Danny did fight like a lion up there. It's just an amazing story.

[thebronze]

A more fitting tribute and ceremony for Danny probably couldn't be had. Hooyah Frogman!

The thing that I think about however, is the inevitable defacing that will be made on this awesome statue, by the "tolerant left" and the lefty garbage that "support the troops, not the war".

I hope it doesn't happen, but knowing how vile they are, I have little faith in them.

[Richard]

It is great to hear of the turnout for the dedication. I wish I was able to be there myself. Perhaps the bald eagles circling overhead can be taken as a sign that Danny Dietz is still watching over us and his teammates.

Thank you Danny.

May his soul rest in everlasting peace.

[mindy abraham]

Wonderful statue-i'm glad it went of without a hitch, and it looks good. These people are heroes,and need recognition.

[armynurseboy]

Awesome statue. And to think it almost didn't go up because of some 'progressive' minded people who thought it would 'damage' our children...

[moe]

Gorgeous statue of Danny Dietz. A courageous hero, a man who never quit! A man who made us proud, that he was one of ours. May we always remember him!

[jeffrey]

I'm so glad to hear this news. My only experience of Danny Dietz is as he was portrayed by Marcus Luttrell in Lone Survivor. In case some of you haven't read that incredible story yet, Danny and his 3 teammates fought over 120 Taliban fighters who had the further advantage of holding the high ground while the SEALs were being forced backward down the mountain, and taking injury after injury. As Marcus wrote it, Danny kept fighting with every breath he had, even after being wounded multiple times. Here's a short but powerful excerpt from Lone Survivor; one of many passages that flooded my eyes with tears:

"We tried to take the fight to them, concentrating on their strongest positions, pushing them to reinforce their line of battle. No three guys ever fought with higher courage than my buddies up there in those mountains. And damn near surrounded as we were, we still believed that we would ultimately defeat our enemy. We still had plenty of ammunition.

But then Danny was shot again. Right through the neck, and he went down beside me. He dropped his rifle and slumped to the ground. I reached down to grab him and drag him closer to the rock face, but he managed to clamber to his feet, trying to tell me that he was okay even though he'd been shot four times. Danny couldn't speak now, but he wouldn't give in. He propped himself up against a rock for cover and opened fire again at the Taliban, signaling he might need a new magazine as his very lifeblood poured out of him. I just stood there for a moment, helplessly, fighting back my tears, witnessing a brand of valor I had never before been privileged to see. What a guy. What a friend."

- excerpt from Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell (Little, Brown 2007)

Good journey, Danny.

[warvet48]

It's really nice that they made the monument for Danny. He truly deserves it. I know I will never forget his story of heroism, or that of his teammates. My prayers go out to Danny's family as well as the families of all the special forces personnel who were killed during that op. Marcus you are a survivor and a hero as well. Pops, take good care of him.
For those of you who haven't gotten the book you can find it on Amazon.com It would be nice to hear frfom you sometime Marcus (within the area as allowed per ops).

[septicwad]

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm.

Godspeed and hooah, Danny Dietz.

[Pops]

Cindy,
Sorry that I wasn't able to attend the dedication. From the accounts that I have read, it went very well and from the visitors list, it was accorded the respect that Danny and you so richly deserve. Marcus has not had a moments rest since getting out. He has been on the move constantly, telling the story over and over. It's taking it toll but he goes on.
The book is doing well signaling the fact that America wants to know what happened that day.
This is a rough time of the year for all of us that will be forever bonded by the events of that day. We must strong, give thanks to Danny and men like him who put their lives on the line, day in and day out, so that we remain Free.
Good Bless America and may God Bless Danny Dietz.
Love
Pops

[red river]

I just finished Lone Survivor.

Danny's courage was just unbelievable.

God Bless Danny, his family, and his wife.

[mindy abraham]

To Fred-Whst is wrong with you??? Why are you insulting the memory of a man who was extrodinarily brave, and who gave his all? Why not just disagree politly? Do NOT insult a man like him, or his memory again.

[MAria Dietz]

After reading all the comments..i am without words...but tears..thank you so much to all of you who didn't know Danny...but now know him...and love him and honor him.
It was amazing to see that after two years since i got the news of his death...that over 2,000 people came to this event...it took my breath....Thank you for never forgetting Danny..

God Bless you all,

Patsy Dietz
(Danny's wife)

[mindy abraham]

To patsy dietz-you are welcome.