US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping Weekend

Patsy and Danny Dietz

By Nick Nicholson

During “Operation Red Wing” on June 28th, 2005, Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land Teams) Danny Dietz was killed in action along with fellow Navy SEALs Michael Murphy and Matthew Axelson as they were ambushed by over 100 Taliban fighters. Sixteen Special Forces personnel, including eight SEALs, were killed during the rescue mission when Taliban fighters gunned down their helicopter. Native Texan Marcus Luttrell was the only survivor of this mission. Dietz’ body was not discovered until a week later during the combat search and rescue mission on July 4th, 2005. 

Up until that fateful date, “Operation Red Wing” was the single greatest loss of life by Naval Special Warfare since World War II.  Luttrell penned a book, The Lone Survivor, that went into great detail on the events that transpired during the mission.  “Before the book came out, there wasn’t much attention paid towards what happened to the fallen soldiers or how that impacted their families,” said Danny’s widow Patsy Dietz.  “Once the book was published, public and media awareness increased significantly.”

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz’ wife Patsy spoke at an event four years ago about her husband’s service and life as a Navy SEAL. At this event, event coordinator Danny Quinlan approached Patsy with a thought of honoring her husband through an event series pairing the SEAL community with the sport of team roping.  “Danny Quinlan was so impacted by the story.  Danny just wanted to help out in any way he could,” stated Patsy.  “He felt compelled to continue to raise awareness and give back to the community.”

After the success of the First Annual US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping Weekend in 2009, the event gathered more sponsors and has grown every year since. “The support the community has shown has been tremendous,” commented Quinlan.  

All proceeds from the 4th Annual US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping Weekend will be donated on Danny’s behalf as a scholarship to a Navy SEAL’s child, as well as to provide support to a SEAL’s family.  It is the mission of this Memorial to provide further help and assistance directly to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in combat or training. This year’s Team Roping event will be joining forces with the “Tyler Magnus Memorial Day Roping” and the “Joe Beaver’s Super Star Shootout” events. 

Caitlin Quinlan and nine-time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier David Key.

With names like Tyler Magnus (Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member, nine-time National Finals Rodeo or NFR Qualifier, 1995 NFR Champion), Joe Beaver (eight-time World Champion, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame member), David Key (nine-time NFR qualifier, 2011 George Strait and 2011 Windy Ryon Memorial Champion Heeler), and Speed Williams (five-time NFR Qualifier, 1997 World Champion) set to rope, this will be an event you won’t want to miss. Also, the weekend’s Match Roping contest, presented by Wrangler, will include Trevor Brazil and Patrick Smith vs Tyler Magnus and Chaise Burleson. The television shows Roping and Riding with Tyler Magnus, featured on RDF-TV, and Country Kingpin, featured on The Sportsman’s Channel, will both be part of this fun-filled weekend, filming all of the sports and activities.

The city of Rosenberg can take tremendous pride in this event scheduled for Memorial Day weekend May 24th-26th. Due to the tremendous reception and support of this worthy cause last year, the event is once again returning to the  community that extended both a warm welcome and offered extraordinary support.  Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr. echoed those sentiments concerning the event.  “We look forward to welcoming the Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping event back to Rosenberg and the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds again this year,” Morales remarked.  “Not only does the event bring a number of esteemed visitors to Rosenberg, more importantly, it supports a worthy cause – the Navy Seal Foundation – and reminds us all this Memorial Day that freedom isn’t free.  I invite everyone to come out and enjoy a great event celebrating the men and women of our armed forces this Memorial Day weekend.”   

Event organizer Danny Quinlan was floored by the support of the community.  “There is no way this event could be possible without Houston area Texas Roadhouses, who is our title sponsor.  They, coupled with American Fire Systems, Resistol Hats, Cactus Saddlery, Zero Limit, Wrangler, Cowpuncher Bit, Spur and Saddle, Mayor Morales, County Judge Hebert and Precinct One County Commissioner Morrison, all made this event come together.  Without them, we couldn’t make this happen.”   

Nathan and mom Patty Roberts, widow of Nay SEAL Neil Roberts, were honored at the 2012 Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping by Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr., Texas Ranger Martin, nine-time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier David Key and five-time World Champion Speed Williams.

The Navy SEAL Foundation has provided continued support for all Navy SEALs’ families since its inception in 2000. Not only do they provide tragedy assistance for the families of those who have lost their lives in combat or training, but they also provide personal support for morale and camaraderie. In addition, the Navy SEAL Foundation provides scholarship opportunities and educational assistance to active duty personnel and their families.

“This is just my way of giving back to those who gave their lives for our country,” remarked Quinlan. He went on to speak very passionately about how he wants the event to impact even his own family. “I want this event to show my daughter how to respect those who gave the ultimate sacrifice without expecting anything in return.”

Beyond the help and service the Navy SEAL Foundation provides, they also seek to keep the memory of these elite warriors and fallen heroes forever esteemed and remembered.  Part of their mission is to preserve and chronicle the history of the Naval Special Warfare community, honoring these selfless patriots who have served or presently serve their country.  Danny’s widow summed it up nicely when she commented that “the passion and pride that Danny had for his job was unique.  He cared about the bigger picture and loved doing the work for his country.”

For more information about the 4th Annual US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping Weekend or to learn more about how to support this exceptional cause, visit the Danny Dietz Memorial website at www.dannydietzmemorial.com. 


The 4th Annual US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping

The 4th Annual US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping event will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 24th through 26th in Rosenberg. The weekend will kick off with a Friday Fun Night at the Firehouse Saloon in Houston complete with auctions, games, dancing and live music by the Jody Booth Band.  

On Saturday, the highlighted events of Team Roping and a BBQ Cook-Off will commence at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds located at 4310 Highway 36 in Rosenberg. All proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation, which provides tragedy assistance for the children and families of fallen Navy SEALs.

This year’s Team Roping event will be joining forces with the “Tyler Magnus Memorial Day Roping” and the “Joe Beaver’s Super Star Shootout” events.  Saturday’s festivities will also include mutton bustin’, the BBQ Cook-Off and a team roping clinic which will be open to the public with the cost of admission. 

Admission is $5 before 6 pm and $10 after 6 pm at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, or a full weekend admission pass can be purchased.  Admission is free for kids under 12 and active military personnel.  For more information, visit www.dannydietzmemorial.com.