A memorial ceremony for fallen Navy SEAL Danny Dietz will be held at 9 a.m. Friday in Littleton.
The ceremony marks the one-year anniversary of a memorial statue’s dedication at the corner of West Berry Avenue and South King Street in Littleton.
On June 28, 2005, Dietz was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. Badly wounded and outnumbered, he fought off al Qaeda fighters for 45 minutes to defend three other SEALs. His body was recovered on July 4, 2005.
He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest military award for valor and gallantry.
Dietz’s mother, Cindy, will attend the ceremony to thank the community for its support.
“This is a bittersweet and exciting time for me,” she said.
Her excitement comes as her daughter, Tiffany Bitz, gave birth to her first son on June 30. Caden Danny Bitz was named in memory of his uncle.
The Mother’s Day before he was killed, Dietz sent his mother an e-mail that contained a picture of himself. Cindy Dietz treasures this memory as it was one of the last times she communicated with him.
Although the memorial honors Dietz, his mother said it is really for all those who serve their country.
“The people of Colorado really do feel for our troops,” Cindy Dietz said. “Their support has been amazing.”
Brian Malnes: 303-954-1638 or bmalnes@denverpost.com
