A fallen hero and local nutcases

[Highwayman]

I saw this story on the news last night. In Littleton Colorado they are going to put up a statue in memorial to a local citizen that was killed in the line of duty. Some of the locals are objecting to the image of a Navy Seal holding a weapon. This is the kind of stuff that makes for good rants.

...The statue of 25-year-old Danny Dietz shows him crouching while holding an assault rifle.

Opponents of the statue have said, in light of the 1999 Columbine High School tragedy, kids shouldn't be walking past something that depicts violence....

..."This is pathetic," Ward said. "What's next? Take 'the bombs bursting in air' out of The Star- Spangled Banner?"...

Rocky Mountain News - Denver and Colorado's reliable source for breaking news, sports and entertainment: Local

[K C Muffin]

Wouldn't that be great! *******s

[TigerEyes]

Naw... more like removeing the Minuteman statue from whatever city it's in out east!

[notyoubob]

david harsanyi | columnist
SEAL's memorial within kids' view? Perfect spot
By David Harsanyi
Denver Post Staff Columnist
Article Launched: 04/09/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT

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."
Dietz, according to his Navy Cross citation, fought "valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force."
Instead of fleeing, Dietz remained behind "in a hailstorm of enemy fire." And even though Dietz was seriously wounded, "he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded."
So for those parents so offended by a rifle, they might take the time to explain to their children that without Dietz and his gun, Abby and Jacob wouldn't be enjoying life in a prosperous neighborhood with the infinite freedom to whine.
While they're at it, they could take the kids down to the Colorado Capitol, where a Civil War monument features a Union soldier. He's carrying a rifle.
Turns out the Confederacy didn't free the slaves after being asked nicely.
Nearby, there's a statue of Joe Martinez, the first Hispanic Coloradan to receive the Medal of Honor. He has a rifle, as well. And he had it when he ran to his certain death on the Aleutian Islands during World War II.
In fact, Tim Nimz, Littleton's museum director, points out the prevalence of weapons at war memorials:
"Service weapons, usually sheathed or unsheathed cavalry sabers or swords, appear in many of the 56 martial-themed statues in the District of Columbia, including almost all of the equestrian statues that dominate the major street intersections."
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.
David Harsanyi's column appears Monday and Thursday. He can be reached at 303-954-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com.

[TexKan]

I had heard about this and am so glad they plan on proceeding as originally planned. When I first heard it on Paul Harvey (probably) I was shocked - I figured this man's memorial would get bogged down with waaa waaa waaaa - glad to see it hasn't.