News>Kaiserslautern community remembers, celebrates fallen Airman
Photos
Lt. Col. Uduak Udoaka, the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron commander at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, pays his respects during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback. Airman Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th VRS, was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
The honor guard at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, posts the colors during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Lt. Col. Uduak Udoaka, the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron commander at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivers his message during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th VRS. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Lt. Col. Uduak Udoaka, the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron commander at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivers his message during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th VRS. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Senior Airman Bradley Opfar and Airman 1st Class Caleb Crickette, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, pay tribute during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, also assigned to the 86th VRS. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Master Sgt. April Owen, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, reads a letter March 10, 2011, that Bob Cuddeback wrote for his son, Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, also assigned to the 86th VRS. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Master Sgt. Brian Fitzsimmons, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, German, calls roll during the memorial service March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, also assigned to the 86th VRS. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)
Airman 1st Class Zachery Cuddeback's battlefield cross is displayed during his memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron, was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
Airmen pay their respects during a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
"Five Star Brass," the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, prepares to play Amazing Grace during a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
Airmen mourn during a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
Airmen pay their respects during a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
Capt. David Suh, an 86th Airlift Wing chaplain, presides over a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
Airmen from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, perform a flyby during a memorial ceremony March 10, 2011, for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Cuddeback was killed during a shooting March 2 at Frankfurt International Airport. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Perry)
by Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
3/10/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community and local host nation leaders gathered here March 10 to pay respect to one of their own during a memorial ceremony in Hangar 3.
People from throughout the KMC joined Airmen and local nationals in the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron to bid farewell to Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback, who was killed in the March 2 attack at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany.
"Airman Cuddeback was known to us affectionately as 'Cudde'," said Lt. Col. Uduak I. Udoaka, the 86th VRS commander. "My prayer is that following today's celebration, his legacy won't be associated with what occurred on Wednesday, March 2, but with the life he lived and the lives he touched. To know him was to know his infectious smile, his love of the Air Force, his passion for hockey and his energy."
The colonel also shared that Airman Cuddeback's spirit will continue to serve as a vital member of his unit.
"I hold in my hand the VRS chain," Colonel Udoaka said. "Over the past 21 months, this chain has come to symbolize the bond of trust we share as a unit and the connection between all 400 Airmen and local nationals. While the tragic events of last Wednesday have only served the purpose of changing Cudde's earthly address, his spirit continues to remain a strong link in our chain and our memory of his smile, his passion and his energy will remain in our hearts. We will continue to abide by the four simple words that capture the VRS mission; words that depict exactly what Cudde was doing last Wednesday: 'So others may roll.'"
Airman Cuddeback was born July 6, 1989, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. After moving to Virginia in 2003, he discovered his passion for hockey and played at the Charlottesville Ice Park. In 2008, he graduated from William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, Va.
He then attended Old Dominion University for one year where he played on the school's ice hockey team.
He enlisted in the Air Force in 2009. After attending basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he graduated as a vehicle operations apprentice from the 364th Training Squadron at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. In March 2010, he joined the 86th VRS team.
His love of the Air Force, cars, hockey, his university and Kappa Delta Rho fraternity were paramount in his life, according to a statement released by his father, Bob Cuddeback.
"He always had a smile on his face for everyone, but had no closer friend than his brother Tim," Mr. Cuddeback said. "He lived by the motto 'Honor Super Omnia' -- honor above all things."
Airman Cuddeback is survived by his mother, Celia Loyet; father, Bob Cuddeback; brother, Tim Cuddeback; and Einstein, his puppy.
He will be laid to rest with full military honors in O'Fallon, Ill., next to his grandfather.
Comments
4/18/2011 7:09:07 PM ET I want to thank the Ramstein community for all the love and support you gave to my son Zac. He was growing as an Airmen, Man, Son, and Brother -blood and friend brothers- because of your caring and nurturing. I have lost my son but gained a community of friends. Again thank you and keep safe while protecting our nation. CW3R Bob Cuddeback
