A Hero's Memorial Criticized in Colorado

Danny Dietz is a hero, and I know it. Why, because the U.S. Navy posthumously awarded Dietz the Navy Cross, second only the Congressional Medal of Honor in awards, for valor in the face of withering enemy fire. Dietz is from Littleton, CO, home also to Columbine High School. Some people are proposing to build a memorial to their hometown hero, but others are opposed.

A group of Littleton parents is opposing the design and location of a memorial to a fallen local Navy SEAL, Danny Dietz, who died in combat in Afghanistan two years ago.

They say the statue, depicting Dietz clutching an automatic rifle, glorifies violence. In Berry Park, it would be within blocks of three schools and two playgrounds.

"I don't think young children should be exposed to that in that way - unsupervised by their parents or any adults," said Emily Cassidy, one of the mothers.

But today, the Denver Post carried this wonderful op-ed by David Harsanyi entitled SEAL's morial within kid's view? Perfect Spot.

Maybe those parents offended by a proposed war memorial in Littleton believe that freedom can be defended using snappy bumper stickers.

Luckily, Danny Dietz knew better.

For now, despite the protestations of a handful of locals, the memorial to honor this Navy SEAL, Navy Cross winner and Colorado native killed after volunteering for action in Afghanistan will go on as scheduled.

A wonderful statue of Dietz holding a rifle will be placed in the vicinity of schools and playgrounds - near many impressionable children.

Really, there's no better spot for it. The more kids see it, the better.

Though we all understand the politics of war - and God knows, we're capable of royally messing things up - allowing ideology to interfere with honoring someone like Dietz is truly repugnant.

A couple of locals claim they are horrified that a replica rifle's shadow may darken their children's playgrounds?

Kids might feel uncomfortable.

We're a long way from the Greatest Generation, indeed.

The memorial will honor a Littleton native who had the guts to pick up a rifle and defend the peace those little children enjoy. And because you can't take out al-Qaeda guerrillas with a blog post or guest spot on "The View," Dietz turned to a rifle equipped with a grenade launcher.

"That weapon was part of him," explains Patsy Dietz, his (rather perturbed) widow. "It's how he defended himself and this country. And that's how he died. So it upset me so much when people began protesting. That gun helped defend the freedom of speech of those protesters ... but that doesn't mean I can't challenge their ignorance."

I don't know Dietz, but as a former Navy Quartermaster, I know SEALs and without exception, they are professional, capable, hard and unwavering patriots. These men are, to a person, aware that they will be called upon to repeatedly put their life in danger to protect my right to sit here and blather on about campaign finance and education. I have that luxury because of men like Dietz and his comrades in arms. SEALs and many others willingly defend the rights of these wishy-washy, touchy-feely, we-can't-expose-our-children-to-guns-it-might-upset-them parents who wish to dishonor their death with complaints about the location of a memorial to a warrior's sacrifice.

I wish I could come up with some pithy remarks, but I am too mad, too tired and too worried about my brother leaving in less than a month for his THIRD tour in Iraq, or my brother in law heading for his second, to castigate these whiners. So I will let Harsanyi close out:

Soldiers and SEALs carry guns. And though this war has torn us apart, ignoring reality and belittling our heroes with politically correct twaddle is a slap in the face to all who serve.

"These protesters probably haven't ever encountered someone whose family has died in war - and they have no room and no ground to stand on," says Patsy Dietz.

Certainly, some of them live in a fantasy. Take for example the comment of one Ann Levy to a Post reporter. She believes that Dietz's sacrifice deserves a "peace dove instead."

A peace dove ...

You know what? When a dove can protect our children from religious fanatics who'd like to behead them, I'll visit the National Peace Dove Memorial.

For now, I look forward to taking my kids to Littleton and explaining why guys like Danny Dietz deserve to be honored.

Thank you Mr. Harsanyi.