Dozens of citizens came out to show their support last week to rename one of the city’s parks after a local veteran who lived near the currently named Park City Park.

Friends and family of Willie “Buddy” Raymond Alphonse said they think naming the park after him would be a fitting tribute to the WWII veteran and prisoner of war.

Alphonse was a lifelong and fourth generation Daphne resident who fought bravely in the European theater during World War II, earning four Bronze Service Stars, a Distinguished Unit Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a POW Medal.

Alphonse was held captive by the Nazis in a POW camp for 100 days before he was rescued.

Charles Harris, founder of the Southwest Alabama Veterans Association, said he hoped the city would want to honor such a distinguished resident.

“I never got to know Mr. Alphonse before he passed, but what I do know is that he served his home well and he fought the good fight,” Harris said. “We want his legacy to be remembered in the community where he lived so that others will know about him and the sacrifices he made for the freedom we currently enjoy.”

Other community members agreed it could be a great way to pay tribute to a distinguished city resident.

“It’s nice to know we had a member of our community that served in that capacity,” Victoria Phelps said. “This is certainly something the council should consider doing.”

Councilman-elect Joe Davis spoke before the council saying that honoring the city’s veterans was definitely something he would hope the council would support, as he shared remembrances from his father’s service in WWII.

“We need to remember all of the veterans and all they gave up, particularly this gentleman and all he did for us,” Davis said.

Councilman John Lake, who knew Alphonse, said he would be putting together a resolution to rename the park after the veteran.

“Mr. Alphonse was involved in the community and he also lived near that park, which makes it good to know that it could be named after him,” Lake said.

The council members will take the issue up at their next work session meeting.