Auburn celebrated Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Park honoring the memory of longtime community member William C. Warren, a decorated World War II veteran, by renaming the Veterans Memorial building in his honor.

At Monday’s celebration, Mayor Pete Lewis, VFW Post 1741 Commander and Councilman Bill Peloza, American Legion Post 78 Commander Skee Goforth and Sonny Bargala of the Intertribal Warriors Society, all praised Warren’s contributions to honor Auburn’s veterans.

“How fitting that a man who cared so much for all of us should have this building named in his honor,” Lewis said. “He was truly an American hero. He was truly an Auburn hero.”

Warren, who died on Oct. 14, 2010, served in the U.S. Army during WWII, making seven island assault landings in the Pacific Theater and earning a Bronze Star for his bravery in combat. After the war, Warren was active with VFW Post 1741, the American Legion and the Intertribal Warriors Society.

Warren, a member of the Chippewa tribe, was born Sept. 23, 1923 in St. John, N.D. He enlisted in the Army in June 1940 and was deployed with his unit to the Pacific Theater of War.

One of Warren’s most cherished accomplishments was his design for Auburn’s Veterans Memorial, which is located in the park and was dedicated on July 4, 2000.

Warren relocated to Washington, where he lived until is death.

The 1,928-square-foot building opened on Nov. 5, 2007, serves as the headquarters for the American Legion Auburn Post 78 and is available to rent for special events, meetings and parties. The building complements the nearly eight-acre Veterans Memorial Park, which also features a Veterans Memorial dedicated in 2002, a backyard idea garden, play structure, spray playground, basketball court and restroom facilities.