Eric M. Dudash

16 Nov 1988 – 1 Dec 2018

Retired, CMSgt (E9)

Eric M. Dudash recently retired from active duty with the United States Air Force on 1 December 2018.  Spending over 30 years in service, Retired Chief Master Sergeant Dudash has been engaged in every conflict since Desert Shield & Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and multiple other engagements including hostage rescue and drug interdiction.  Chief Dudash deployed 17 times and completed 167 temporary duty assignments.

Eric is honored to be a Life/Bronze Legacy VFW member and serves as the Department of Alabama Junior Vice Commander.  He is also proud to be a member of DeKalb County VFW Post 3128.  Being a servant leader to other veterans, he understands the complexity of transition from the military, the benefits that are rightly earned by veterans and ensures all understand that we are "One Team One Fight” to help each other.  

He has a Master of Arts in Education, concentrating in Adult Education and Training.  He resides in Mentone, Alabama with his bride Barbara, and is proud of his 3 children Zachary, Brooke and Adoree ("Add O Ray”).  

Along with his new battle buddy "Phantom”, they mentor other veterans in the Warrior Freedom Service Dogs program, helpveterans receiving Hospice Care, are members of the Fort Payne Patriots Park Board and speaks to school classrooms across the state, as well as businesses about teamwork, resiliency, and servant leadership. 

He was recently honored with the 2022 Top 20 Community Leaders in DeKalb County, 2022 Spirit of the Eagle Award (Boy Scouts of America/Alabama), Liberty’s Learning Foundation 2022 Super Citizen Award and was awarded the Governor of Alabama Veteran of the Year 2022 award.

Alabama VFW Military Order of Cootie pup tent founding member.