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Fallen soldier's statue depicts duty, not violence
By Kellie Ludwig
kludwig3@mscd.edu

A memorial to be unveiled on July 4, in honor of a U.S. Navy Seal who was killed in Afghanistan has been the subject of criticism by some Littleton citizens.

A bronze statue of Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz Jr. is to be located in Littleton’s Berry Park. The statue will depict Dietz kneeling with his rifle. With three elementary schools adjacent to the park, neighbors feared the memorial would promote the wrong message to their children.

The subject of most of the controversy is the display of a large automatic weapon. Those opposed contended this statue glorifies violence and opposes the spirit of nonviolence encouraged by the community since the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School. A flier circulated in the surrounding neighborhoods stated, “in light of our community’s experience with the Columbine tragedy, and the clear message of nonviolence that we teach in Littleton schools, what was our city thinking?”

It is appalling that people compared a fallen serviceman to the deranged students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.

Most adults should understand the difference between recognizing a man who died serving his country and psychopathic murderers. The distinction is no less obvious than honoring an armed policeman instead of a gun-wielding criminal.

It is the obligation of parents as part of the moral upbringing of their children to clearly point out these distinctions so that their children understand the difference.

We should honor our fallen war heroes and instill in all of our citizens a sense of honor, duty and the importance of service to the country. I have visited many war memorials, and some portray weapons of various sorts, because weapons are a part of war.

We should encourage all parents to expose their children to the military heroes of this country to whom we all owe so much.

As the family of Dietz mourns their loss, they now have to endure the controversy that has erupted over the city’s attempt to honor Dietz, who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. Maria Dietz, the soldier’s widow, was quoted by the Washington Times as saying, “for them to compare that to Columbine is offensive not only to my husband but to every other citizen who died behind enemy lines.”

“He is a role model for any kid in that area,” she said.

While it is important to promote nonviolence to children at young, impressionable ages, the men and women who give the “full measure of devotion” should never be compared with violent criminals.