thedrifter
04-16-07, 01:41 PM
A proper tribute
Plans for statue of fallen commando draw critics
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Posted : April 23, 2007
The parents of a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan are defending the location of a planned statue of their son against critics who say it would glorify violence in a park frequented by children.
“What we’re dealing with, what the country’s dealing with, is violent,” said Dan Dietz, whose son, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz, posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism.
The planned statue shows Danny Dietz seated and holding his automatic rifle. It was modeled after the last-known photograph of him.
Officials in this south Denver suburb plan to unveil it on July 4 in Berry Park. A group of parents objected to the location because it is near three schools — an elementary school, a middle school and a school for gifted children — and two miles from Columbine High School, where two teen gunmen shot and killed 12 students and a teacher eight years ago this month.
“I don’t think young children should be exposed to that in that way — unsupervised by their parents or any adults,” Emily Cassidy, one of the parents, said this week.
City officials have defended the location.
“Based on the public feedback we’ve had, I think most of the citizens of Littleton feel like it’s an appropriate selection,” City Manager Jim Woods said.
The military said the 25-year-old Dietz was severely wounded in an al-Qaida ambush in June 2005 but fought off the attackers for more than 45 minutes, allowing one of his team members to escape.
Ellie
Plans for statue of fallen commando draw critics
-
Posted : April 23, 2007
The parents of a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan are defending the location of a planned statue of their son against critics who say it would glorify violence in a park frequented by children.
“What we’re dealing with, what the country’s dealing with, is violent,” said Dan Dietz, whose son, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz, posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism.
The planned statue shows Danny Dietz seated and holding his automatic rifle. It was modeled after the last-known photograph of him.
Officials in this south Denver suburb plan to unveil it on July 4 in Berry Park. A group of parents objected to the location because it is near three schools — an elementary school, a middle school and a school for gifted children — and two miles from Columbine High School, where two teen gunmen shot and killed 12 students and a teacher eight years ago this month.
“I don’t think young children should be exposed to that in that way — unsupervised by their parents or any adults,” Emily Cassidy, one of the parents, said this week.
City officials have defended the location.
“Based on the public feedback we’ve had, I think most of the citizens of Littleton feel like it’s an appropriate selection,” City Manager Jim Woods said.
The military said the 25-year-old Dietz was severely wounded in an al-Qaida ambush in June 2005 but fought off the attackers for more than 45 minutes, allowing one of his team members to escape.
Ellie