Frogman- Why We Enter the Water

I didn’t know the emotional effects signing up for the Tampa Bay Frogman would have for me.  Sure I have had nerves at the start of a race or during training and I have cried at crossing the finish line, but the Tampa Bay Frogman swim would bring other emotions to play on my training ad race preparation.

My Mom, Seaman

My Dad, Second Class Petty Officer

First, was the emotion in writing the initial blog about the event, talking about my relationship with our US military through my parent’s service, the service of other family members and friends, and the influences of growing up and living in a military community.  As I personally recalled the memories imprinted on me related to military influences on my life, I realized the depth of these memories and my overwhelming thankfulness for these service men and women.

Second, I was taken back by the support.  Not only did I have friends who believed in the cause I was representing, donating funds to the Navy SEAL Foundation; I also had friends who braved water conditions with me to swim in the cold for hours and miles, friends along the way who gave words of encouragement when I was frustrated or worried, friends who offered breakfast after training or drinks after a long day, and a loving husband who spent hours on the kayak to keep me safe and who wrapped his arms around me to warm me up.  There have been days after days where all I can say is “my cup runneth over.”  There has never been a moment where I doubted the belief others had in me and that is an incredible feeling.

Then yesterday there was a new emotional reality.  The Tampa Bay Frogman Swim benefits the Navy SEAL Foundation; therefore, each racer is assigned a Navy SEAL who has passed.  As the list of wave assignments came out attached to it was a list of names.  Next to my name was the name Danny Dietz.  Danny was a Gunner Mate Second Class.  He was a part of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two, Naval Special Warfare Unit, stationed in Afghanistan.  Danny died on 28 June 2005, in Kunar Province, during an engagement with Taliban forces.  If these places and times seem familiar it is because Danny was a part of the four man team who are featured in the book and movie, Lone Survivor. 

Danny Dietz; Gunner Mate Second Class

Danny was the first of three men on the ground to be killed; additionally, eight SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers would be killed in this engagement as their helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, as they were responding to a radio call to aid the four SEALs on the ground.  Danny was reported to have taken a hit early on the in conflict; however, he continued with his team members to fight and respond to the enemy fire until taking a mortal hit.  For his actions that day Danny was awarded the Navy Cross.  

Danny’s body was not recovered until seven days after what would be the second deadliest combat event in Navy SEAL history.   The publicity of the events surrounding Danny’s death makes the events stand out but as I read about Danny the events of his death were not what stuck out to me.  Danny was born on 26 January 1980, one year and 2 days before me.  He was an outdoors man, a dog lover, and a man who loved his wife (also a service member) and family.  Those things stood out to me, because those things make him who he was, a dedicated and strong man who was a solider, who gave his life for all of our freedom.  Those little things about him may to others not be as big as the story of his death, but in reading about him and his family those little things were always mentioned- his love of others, commitment to the military, his enthusiasm for life, his joy of watching a movie or hanging out with his wife; those are the things that made him walk in to those mountains that day without a second thought, he was there to defend what he believed in, in all those little moments of life. 

On Sunday every swimmer will enter the water with a Navy SEAL on their heart and soul.  This will be an imprinted moment for all of us.  A swim across the waterway will never compare to the challenges these men face in their daily work, but on Sunday morning we will swim for them, a testament to what they have sacrificed, with proof that their will to push on will never die. 

I can never say it enough—Thank you to all the men and women who wear the uniform and to those who support them.  May we always know such freedom and may we protect that freedom by respecting the sacrifices given in the name off such freedom. 

I am are continuing to raise money for the Navy Seal Foundation.  For more information please read this: Supporting the Navy Seal Foundation- Frogman Swim 
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