LITTLETON, Colo. - Littleton, Colo. is drawing national attention over a statue of a war hero, with some linking it to the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.

The statue honors Danny Dietz, a 25-year-old Navy SEAL who died in 2005 in Afghanistan as he held off militia fighters. He is said to have fought with such valor that one of his comrades was able to escape during the 45-minute ambush.

However, some residents of Littleton, Dietz's home town, are upset over a memorial statue set to be unveiled on July 4, The Los Angeles Times reported. The 9-foot statue depicts Dietz crouching with his rifle pointed downward.

A group of parents in Littleton said the statue emphasizes the weapon, and some even link the image to the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, in which student gunmen went on a rampage, killing 12 classmates and a teacher.

Others, including Dietz's parents, say the statue depicts Dietz's heroism, and say it is foolish to link the memorial with the 1999 tragedy.

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