Memorial to SEAL to be dedicated today

Rocky Mountain News

Published July 4, 2007 at midnight

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While many people will be busy celebrating the nation's birthday with barbecues, fireworks or camping getaways, others will also be celebrating the memory of a fallen Navy SEAL.

With distinguished guests such as Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter; Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, head of the Naval Special Warfare Command; and Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton in attendance, a bronze statue honoring Danny P. Dietz Jr. will be dedicated today at 11 a.m. at the Berry Park Extension in Littleton, not far from where he grew up and attended school.

Dietz, a 1999 graduate of Heritage High School in Littleton, was killed in action in Afghanistan two years ago and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross - the nation's second highest military honor - for bravery under fire.

The bronze memorial by Cañon City sculptor Robert Henderson shows Dietz in battle gear, and was inspired by one of the last photographs taken of the 25-year-old, who had dreamed of being a SEAL from the time he was in middle school.

Ever since the statue was installed - and then covered - last Friday, members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group (composed of military veterans) and the Littleton Police Department have been standing guard as both a sign of respect and a deterrent to would-be vandals.

The statue triggered a modicum of protest several months ago when some parents said it was not suitable for young children who might be frightened by the depiction of weapons. They wanted it relocated away from schools, but their request was denied.

If you go

The Danny Dietz Memorial Sculpture will be dedicated at a ceremony featuring speeches by Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter; Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, commander Naval Special Warfare Command; U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo; Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton; and Tiffany Bitz, Danny Dietz's sister.

• When: 11 a.m. today

• Where: Berry Park Extension, 5507 S. King St., Littleton.

• The public is welcome, but since large crowds are expected, West Berry Avenue will be closed to all traffic from Lowell Boulevard to Irving Street until Thursday morning.

• The following streets will be open to residents only: Berry Drive, Berry Place, King Street, Knox Court, Keenland Court, Julian Street and Aqueduct Avenue.

• Close-in public parking will be available at Centennial Academy, West Berry Avenue and South Irving Street; and Goddard Middle School, West Berry Avenue and South Lowell Boulevard.

• Additional parking will be available at Bowles Grove Park on South Federal, just south of West Berry, and the Arapahoe County warehouse, 5251 S. Federal Blvd. Shuttles will run from these lots to the site.

• Disabled guests can be dropped off at the northeast corner of Berry Street and Lowell Boulevard. Limited handicapped seating will be available. Otherwise, be prepared to stand, bring portable chairs or sit on the grass.

• No dogs, please.

• For more information: go to littletongov.org

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