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6 // JANUARY 2018 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM O F F T HE D R AW really get into it and participate and they thank us and we thank them. It's a great circle of people that I've been getting to know." While many families often find it hard to talk about the passing of their loved ones, Dietz's father takes comfort and a sense of purpose in preserving his son's legacy. "All the gold star families don't want to talk about their loved ones being killed," he said. "It's very diffi- cult but we feel like it's our purpose to keep the story alive so people rec- ognize the cost of freedom, because it isn't cheap." P HE LITTLETON HAWKS and Hyland Hills Jaguars h a v e a l o n g a n d o f t e n heated history of facing off in the shadows of the Denver skyline. But days before Veteran's Day, these two local rivals came together at the South Suburban Ice Arena to support a cause that runs deeper than any local rivalry by competing in the Danny Dietz Memorial Games. T h e a n n u a l e v e n t , w h i c h s u p - ports the Danny Dietz Foundation, is meant to pay tribute to the U.S. Navy SEAL from Littleton, Colo., who was killed in action on June 28, 2005, during Operation Red Wings in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. His story was told in the film "Lone Survivor," starring Mark Wahlberg. Shortly after Dietz's passing, his family decided to honor his legacy by creating a foundation devoted to teach- ing youth men and women life skills through mental and physical activities. Brian TenEyck, the hockey director for Littleton, recalled when he first heard of the foundation's mission. "We had a game up at Hyland Hills a couple years ago, and I got to know Dan Sr. and the owner of the gym and their connections to the foun- dation," TenEyck said. "We decided then and there that it was the right organization to support." In addition to the action on the ice, those who attended were able to contribute and donate through sev- eral activities such as chuck-a-puck, a silent auction and a skills competi- tion. Youngsters were also encour- a g e d t o d o n a t e t h e i r H a l l ow e e n candy to be shared with troops serv- ing overseas. Kirsten Ferguson, the fundraising coordinator for the event, acknowl- edged the importance of supporting this foundation, whether as a player or spectator. "Having our communities come together and supporting our mili- tary and honoring those who have served in the past and present is a pretty significant thing that we can do," she said. Scott Reynolds, the president of the foundation, echoed those heart- felt sentiments. "It g oes deep," he said. "There [were] some Navy SEALs here today and guys that have been in it all, it hits home and I think people understand the price of freedom is a heavy price. "People really care about it. They The Foundation Of Freedom COMMUNITY By Jason Kates "It's very difficult but we feel like it's our purpose to keep the story alive." PHOTOS BY Jennifer Sundquist Colorado Hockey Communities Come Together To Honor A Local Hero T The Littleton Hawks and Hyland Hills Jaguars faced off for a great cause.