Hundreds of people gathered at the Main Street Arena in Charlottesville Wednesday afternoon to honor and remember Airman First Class Zachary Ryan Cuddeback.
The Greene County resident's casket was carried to center ice, a place he frequented while playing the center position in hockey games at the Ice Park.
Cuddeback, a 2008 graduate of William Monroe High School and avid hockey player, was one of two airmen killed March 2 in an apparent terrorist attack on U.S. forces in Germany.
Friends, family members, fellow service members and complete strangers, many in hockey jerseys with the fallen airman's name and No. 16 on the back, filled the stands to pay their respects.
Zac's brother, Tim Cuddeback, started the ceremony by inviting friends and family onto the ice. His mother, De Loyet, later addressed the crowd.
"When God decided he needed Zac back, we here on Earth lost our son, brother, grandson, godson, nephew, cousin, big brother, little brother and friend. But we all gained an amazing guardian angel," says Loyet, fighting back the tears.
Zac's father, Bob Cuddeback, says, "Zac, you're a truly amazing young man, a freaking wonderful son, an awesome brother and the best friend anyone could have.
Bob also asked for a moment of silence for Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, who also died in the attack.
Members of American Legion Post 128 presented Gold Star certificates to the slain airman's parents.
It was announced at the service that the Military Classic of the South on Ice, an annual charitable hockey game between VMI and The Citadel, will be renamed the Zachary Ryan Cuddeback Memorial Cup.
In addition, the Blue Ridge Hockey and Southeastern Hockey conferences will donate the proceeds from a 2011 season game to the memorial fund.
A public skating session was held after the service, with all proceeds being donated to the Zachary Cuddeback Memorial Fund.
Cuddeback's cousin and best friend has been charged by the U.S. Air Force with being his formal escort until he's laid to rest.
He will be laid to rest Saturday with full military honors alongside his grandfather, a fellow military veteran, at St. Joseph's Cemetery, O'Fallon Township, Illinois.
In lieu of cards, flowers, and other gifts, donations may be made to the Zachary Cuddeback Celebration Memorial at First Citizens Bank.
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