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Members of the KMC and local host nation leadership gathered to pay respect to one of their own during a memorial ceremony Thursday in Ramstein’s Hangar 3.
KMC members joined 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.
“Airman Cuddeback was known to us affectionately as ‘Cudde,’” said Lt. Col. Uduak I. Udoaka, 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 said 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. In 2009 he enlisted into the Air Force. After basic training, he graduated as a vehicle operations apprentice from the 364th Training Squadron at Fort Leonardwood, 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 in the statement. “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., today.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Zachary Cuddeback Celebration Memorial can do so through the Community Bank. For more information, call Staff Sgt. Dennis Zemialkowski at 480-3944.
