DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville was in DOTHAN on Tuesday for the groundbreaking of a new auditorium at the Wiregrass Public Safety Center and a luncheon with the Fort Rucker-Wiregrass chapter of the Association of the United States Army.
During the event, city officials announced the auditorium will be named in honor of Tuberville’s father, Charles R. Tuberville Jr., a World War II veteran. The project is being funded with nearly $8 million secured by Tuberville through the FY2024 federal appropriations package.
“My dad was my hero, and a hero in the military too,” Tuberville said. “He served this country, and he taught me what sacrifice really looks like.”
Tuberville said having the auditorium named for his father was especially meaningful because of the center’s role in training first responders and public safety professionals.
“For the City of Dothan to name something after him here at the Wiregrass Public Safety Center is a great honor for my family,” he said. “This place will be here for a long time, and it’s going to help train the men and women who protect our communities every single day.”
He added that the investment goes beyond one building.
“This is about growing the Wiregrass,” Tuberville said. “It’s about making sure this region has the resources it needs, and I look forward to supporting the continued growth of the Wiregrass Public Safety Center and the region as a whole.”
While at the center, Tuberville also spoke to policy academy candidates on their first day of training, encouraging them as they begin careers in public service.
“You’re stepping into a profession that matters,” he told the group. “What you do from this day forward will make a difference in people’s lives.”
Later, at the AUSA luncheon, Tuberville addressed nearly 600 service members, veterans, and local leaders, focusing on military readiness, support for service members, and his work in Washington.
“I’ll always fight for our military,” Tuberville said. “These men and women deserve leaders who have their backs, and that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing.”
