An American Flag waves high above the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Local citizens lined the streets of a procession route to show support for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback and his family March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
“COURAGE” reads on the O'Fallon Veterans' Monument along the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Local citizens lined the streets of a procession route to show support for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback and his family March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Local emergency vehicles lead the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Freedom Riders lead the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Freedom Riders lead the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Freedom Riders lead the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Hundreds of people lined the streets of a procession line for Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback to show respect for a fallen hero March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Local emergency vehicles lead the procession route of Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback March 12, 2011 in O’Fallon, Ill. Airman Cuddeback and another Airman were killed March 2, 2011 when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
A sign on a local business near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. honors Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback who was killed, along with another Airman, when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany March 2, 2011. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
A sign on a local business near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. honors Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback who was killed, along with another Airman, when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany March 2, 2011. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
A sign on a local business near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. honors Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback who was killed, along with another Airman, when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany March 2, 2011. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
A sign on a local business near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. honors Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback who was killed, along with another Airman, when a man opened fire on a bus of U.S. Airmen at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany March 2, 2011. Airman Cuddeback will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at a cemetery in O'Fallon, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)
Commentary by Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon
86th Airlift Wing commander
3/16/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- For two days last week, four Ramstein Airmen traveled to O'Fallon, Ill. We were there to attend the funeral of our fallen wingman, Airman 1st Class Zac Cuddeback.
Before we departed Germany, we learned that back in Illinois, the community was placing several thousand large American flags along Airman Cuddeback's arrival route. Upon Zac's arrival on March 12, hundreds of patriots would stand silent on this same route.
We missed Zac's arrival by a couple of hours but later that night, as we approached the town of O'Fallon, we started seeing them -- American flags -- hundreds upon hundreds of them.
Perhaps it was because we have been living outside the United States for a while, or maybe it had been a long flight from Germany, or maybe it was a pure patriotism. Whatever the reason, as we started passing the flags our car fell silent.
For miles we passed flags on both sides of the road. And then as we entered O'Fallon, we didn't just see flags, we now noticed the billboards too. Yes every billboard -- churches, schools, and businesses -- all had a message honoring Airman Cuddeback. Dozens of them.
Needless to say, these symbols of a community's support -- American flags and billboard messages dedicated to Zac -- put a lump in my throat.
The next day the patriotism and community outpouring continued. When we drove to St. Nicholas Church for Zac's visitation and funeral we didn't need a GPS ... we just followed the American flags, hundreds and hundreds more.
Upon arrival at the church, the entire parking lot was surrounded by flag holding "Patriot Guards" standing shoulder to shoulder. Patriot Guard Riders are motorcyclists with one mission: attend the funeral services of fallen heroes, show respect and protect them from protesters.
We got out of our car and walked to the church entrance -- more American flag holding Patriot Guards and now they were joined by Boy Scouts. All were lined up in silent vigil for Zac.
We spoke with many of the Patriot Guards. Some were locals. Many more had ridden their motorcycles 4 to 6 hours to be in O'Fallon that day. They were there hours before we arrived at the church. They stood silently guarding Airman Cuddeback and his family. And after the funeral, over 200 of them would lead Zac to his final resting place.
And then, when we thought we couldn't see any more outpouring from this community, it happened. It happened as we began our 4-mile drive to the cemetery. It happened as we drove through neighborhoods and along country roads.
It was on the drive we saw them; hundreds; no, not hundreds, but thousands. Thousands of O'Fallon citizens lining the route to honor Airman Cuddeback.
They stood silently on both sides of the road. They stood with American flags in hand. They stood holding up homemade signs. They stood saluting. They stood in their front yards. They stood next to an industrial-sized crane flying a massive American flag above the procession.
And we were there ... we saw them all: moms and dads, grandparents and kids. Some were in wheel chairs, others in strollers, but they were all there. And mixed in among them were boy and girl scouts, military, police, firefighters and store owners. Yes, thousands were there for Zac.
Although they couldn't bring him back, they did the next best thing -- they honored him. They honored his family. They honored his service. They honored his ultimate sacrifice. This small town came out in big numbers for one of their very own. Silent ... patriotic ... powerful. And we were there.
Last week four Ramstein Airmen left Germany to honor our fallen wingman, Airman Cuddeback. We return humbled. Humbled by the honor shown in one small town in America. May God Bless Airman 1st Class Zachary Ryan Cuddeback, his family and the United States of America.
Comments
3/28/2011 6:25:13 PM ET What a touching story and wonderful reminder of how many patriotic supportive communities we still have in the United States. God bless the Patriot Guard Riders and the Airmen Soldiers Sailers and Marines who havestill serve
Tammi Fitzgerald, Kirtland AFB NM
3/24/2011 1:42:00 PM ET Myself along with my fiance were just two of the over 240 Patriot Guard Riders that were there for A1C Zachary Cuddeback. I am a 12 year USAF Veteran SPSK-9. It was our Honor and Priviledge to Stand for Zach and his family. It was an Honor to see and meet General Dillion along with Zach's Commander as well. We are deeply sorry for your loss but we are eternally greatful for each one of you For your service your sacrifices that you and your families ARE making and for OUR FREEDOM And to my son inlaw serving in Security Forces Hdqtrs A1C Bartruff and daughter Keelie see you soon. Thank You
Rodney K. Hanbaum, Anna Illinois
3/22/2011 9:01:23 AM ET Not for the same hero but same thing but with video.httpwww.godvine.comChristian-Veterans-Protect-the-Funeral-of-a-Fallen-Soldier-278.html
Tim Mitchell, Peru NY
3/19/2011 8:00:46 PM ET Thank you for this article. I am a retired Coast Guardsman and i am very proud of how my community came together to honor this airman.. to honor all those who serve and have served.
Steven Shaffer, Shiloh Illinois
3/18/2011 7:59:05 PM ET To those four Airmen it is you who honor us with your presence service and love of this country just as A1c Cuddeback did. You who made the long trip to escort him on his final flight. I was humbled and honored to be allowed to participate in honoring our fallen. Thank you and God bless you for your service to our country. Till they all come home may the lord watch over and keep them in his loving arms. Vets Don't Forget. w38c2
Keith, House Springs mo.
3/18/2011 7:16:27 PM ET My heart goes out to the family of Airman Cuddeback. May small town America continue to show the world that we Americans are truly proud of our country our soldiers our fallen heros and that we will honor them and their families. God Bless you all.
Donna Denman, Hazelwood MO
3/18/2011 6:24:11 PM ET It really was a sight to see and feel the support of the community. It reminds everyone how connected we are to the military and their families.
Cindy, Scott AFB
3/18/2011 5:49:48 PM ET God Bless O'fallon and all the citizens of the surrounding area...so refreshing to read about such an outpouring of love and caring for a fallen comrade and his family...
MaryLou Smith, Florida
3/18/2011 4:22:41 PM ET I was there not for the funeral but for the procession the previous night. I am 17 years old and it was the most touching thing I have ever seen. It truly was an amazing sight to behold. That night over 500 of the Patriot guard bikers rode down that street. It left me without words. I'll never forget that day.
Stephan Speck, Scott AFB IL
3/18/2011 12:46:15 AM ET I was one of those standing on the side of the road honoring your friend and one of our American Heroes. It was an honor and a priviledge to be part of the weekend. We were recently stationed in Germany and have flown in and out of Frankfurt numerous times. Being an AF family and having a son in the Navy we felt like it was the least we could do to support this family.
Joyce, o'fallon IL
3/16/2011 5:37:39 PM ET What a beautiful way to honor this young man who sacrificed for our country and our freedom. This is the way we should all respond to such a loss. Its so disheartening to hear that American protestors would even consider attending a funeral like this but truth be told they are often in our midst.
Jessica, Ramstein Air Base
3/16/2011 10:40:25 AM ET what a fitting tribute for A1C Cuddeback. The Ramstein family were there in spirit and may he rest in peace. Job well done yet taken too quickly from those he loved. He served his country well. God bless them all from a grateful nation.
