Fallen airman honored at Arena

By Hawes Spencer |
Published online 12:44pm Wednesday Mar 9th, 2011
and in print issue #1011 dated Thursday Mar 17th, 2011

Friends, family, and public officials gathered at 1pm March 9 at the Main Street Arena in Charlottesville to remember the life of Greene County airman Zachary Cuddeback, who was murdered March 2 at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. Cuddeback was a 21-year-old Airman First Class in the United States Air Force who died, along with another Airman, after an Albanian man described as a Muslim extremist fired shots at the servicemen in a bus.

Note: This caption was rewritten from the future to the past tense for the Hook's print edition, and for accuracy the word "airman" was substituted for the word "soldier" in the headline and other copy.

15 comments

Carter March 9th, 2011 | 1:15pm

Fly Fight Win Zachary
God Bless and Thank You

NancyDrew March 9th, 2011 | 2:10pm

This young man's loss in the service of his country is sadly mourned in our town today. Young people all over the world representing America are in danger of meeting a similar fate. War is no longer just being fought on battlefields with conventional weapons. May we all work to end wars and the hatred that fuels them. It was this hatred of America in a young man's heart that is reported in today's NYT to have motivated this attack.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/world/europe/09frankfurt.html

One small correction March 9th, 2011 | 5:10pm

The headline is inaccurate. Members of the Air Force aren't soldiers, they're airmen. Members of the Army are soldiers.

Gasbag Self Ordained Expert March 9th, 2011 | 5:17pm

I thought this ugly monstrosity was called The Pavillion?

When did the name change to The Arena?

Honoree March 9th, 2011 | 5:43pm

The Arena is on the opposite end of the mall, the former Ice Park. From what I've read, Airman Cuddeback was a hockey enthusiast and spent many hours at the Ice Park enjoying the sport he loved. God bless the memory of Zachary Cuddeback, a young many who was willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and God bless those who love him.

Gasbag Self Ordained Expert March 9th, 2011 | 6:02pm

Ahh, I see. Thanks. Wasn't aware of the name change.

(People I speak with in passing still call it the Ice Park)

Kimosabi March 9th, 2011 | 7:46pm

I'm not surprised Nancy is a NYT devotee. Don't confuse yourself with the facts.

Robert Antrim March 9th, 2011 | 8:20pm

Nancy Drew must have some trouble with English, just like every bloated schmuck who thinks that enlistees are even remotely involved in defending this nation--she links to this:
"Mr. Uka told investigators that he had acted alone and that he had decided to carry out the attack after seeing a video on YouTube that apparently showed American soldiers raping a girl in Afghanistan."

ALL of the U.S's overseas occupations, bases, and corporate-driven installations are nothing more honorable than "nanny-state" make-work.

Maybe Westboro's onto something.

Don Rumsfeld March 9th, 2011 | 8:45pm

Like the new slogan...... "PORK.....Be Inspired!"

TJ March 10th, 2011 | 2:47am

The global muslim population is estimated at 1.57 billion, maybe we should not listen so much to the racist teatards when electing the people who will determine whether or not our nation will continue this war.

FF433 March 10th, 2011 | 7:13am

TJ, if you're so wrapped up with what Muslims think, then why don't you move to Indonesia, Iran or Syria.
Those "teatards" will likely be the ones who save your sorry "libtard"@ss if Jihad ever officially comes to America.
The war needs to be fought to WIN, not to gain political credibility and popularity...

Carol R March 10th, 2011 | 10:53am

My heart is breaking for Zack's family - I can't imagine the sadness they feel. He apparently was a really fine young man and soldier. No one deserves this.
I will be hoping and praying for you.

One small correction March 10th, 2011 | 2:30pm

Thanks for the correction. Cuddeback is still referred to as a "soldier" in the text.

cookieJar March 11th, 2011 | 1:38am

So FF433 , who would make Jihad "official?" Are you so uninformed about Islam that you think there is Pope or something? Maybe an Office of Making Jihads Official?

Ever stop to count up how many Muslims have been killed in the past 3 decades as a direct result of American policies and military action? The numbers pretty clearly show that people like you are a far greater threat to the average Muslim than the average Muslim is to anyone else.

sickoflibs March 15th, 2011 | 2:17pm

Yes, cookieJar, you're exactly right. We, miserable infidels that we are, should just lay down our arms, apologize profusely and convert to Islam. Those who are unwilling should simply prepare to be beheaded by practitioners of "The Religion Of Peace". You must also regret all the Germans and Japanese who died as a result of our aggression during WWII.
Not to mention the 19 Muslims who had to perish during their righteous acts on 9/11.