A local soldier is remembered for his heroics, and for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Family and friends of Lance Corporal Daniel Chaires helped dedicate a small piece of home to the fallen soldier.

Family, friends and community members remembered 20-year-old Lance Corporal Daniel Chaires who was killed in Iraq in October.

"Every time we do this it opens up the wounds a little but, it's a great day," said Harry Chaires, Daniel Chaires' father.

Leon County commissioners are recognizing Daniel's sacrifice by renaming the Chaires-Capitola Community Park to the Daniel B. Chaires Community Park.

"We need to honor those sacrifices when we conduct our lives, be a little less selfish, and giving and loving and this is a good way to accomplish that," said Bob Rackleff, Leon County Commissioner.

Daniel's loved ones say they want the park to remind people of the sacrifices all the men and women make when fighting for our country.

"Everyone has a similar story and is a hero but not all the time does the community recognize one of those fallen heroes, it's gratifying to know our community rallies behind our men," said Captain Raymond Spaulding, a friend of the Chaires family.

Daniel's father says the warm yellow sign melts his heart as he's reminded of the day his son entered this world.

"The first thing I thought of was when the morning the sun came up in his face when he popped into this world," said Chaires.

Daniel grew up just down the street from the park, and his father says many memories were made on these grounds.

There was concern from some residents in the area about "Capitola" being dropped from the park's name; however, they did not fight the issue.