SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- 9/11, a tragic incident in U.S. history put fear in the hearts of many Americans, but for some it touched and inspired them, it was seen as their call to serve and protect.
Jeanette Middleton-Sudano, mother of late Airman 1st Class Nathan McDavitt, said that is when she saw a change in her son, a change that made her proud.
“After 9/11 is when I believe my son made his decision that he was going to do something to serve his country,” said Middleton-Sudano. “He was young, but this is when I could see he had a strong desire to protect and he knew what he would do with his life.”
April 29, 2019 friends, family and co-workers celebrated the life of McDavitt for giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country, April 16, 2016, while deployed with the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. A remembrance ceremony was held in his honor outside of his old work building at the 52nd Maintenance Squadron.
At this ceremony Col. Jason Bailey, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, gave a speech and presented Middleton-Sudano with a plaque that replicates the road sign unveiled in remembrance of her son. The old Randolph Avenue sign now reads McDavitt Memorial Avenue.
“Airman McDavitt was hardworking, a man of character, always happy, and he cared for others like an Airman should,” said Bailey. “He was every bit of those things and more.”
After the remembrance ceremony Middleton-Sudano travelled to the air park, here, to view her son’s name on a plaque honoring those from Spangdahlem who have made the ultimate sacrifice. She also travelled to the Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School to view a shadow box created for her son. Lastly she visited McDavitt’s old dorm to get a view of where her son once stayed.
There is nothing that can show a person’s care for others more than making the ultimate sacrifice for them and this is the kind of care for others the Air Force hopes is in all of their Airman, said Bailey. “I look at my sons and pray every day that they will grow up to have half the character that Airman McDavitt did.”