A service at Fort Logan National Cemetery was just one of many events across Colorado aiming to do just that.
Among the hundreds in attendance Monday were several gold star families, including the mother of Danny Dietz. The Colorado-born Navy Seal was killed while carrying out a mission in Afghanistan in 2005.
Replacing old flowers and worn flags, Dietz-Marsh has become all too familiar with solemn traditions like visiting her son’s grave. On Monday morning, she and other loved ones arrived with flowers, flags and more to pay their respects. This marks her 17th Memorial Day spent at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Every year, it’s a reminder of her son’s ultimate sacrifice, as well as her enduring pain.
Cindy’s son, Danny Dietz, 25, was a Heritage High School graduate and a Navy SEAL. In 2005, he was on a mission in Afghanistan when his team of four was discovered by goat herders. After letting them go, they alerted the Taliban who killed all but one.