KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park Ring of Honor on the north side.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Community Room at the Street Park and Recreation (SPaR) building at 207 Reaume Avenue.
Also at 11 a.m. Monday, The Fox Valley Veterans Council (FVVC) is holding its Veterans Day Tribute inside of the Outagamie County Court House in front of the Veterans Memorial at 410 S. Walnut Street in Appleton.
Keynote Speaker is Aaron Hunnel who spent 20 years serving in the military working to improve
organizational culture. His work has been integrated on large scales across the Department of Defense and he learned some of his greatest life lessons while wearing the uniform.
Hunnel also rode 3,000 miles across the country to raise money for veterans. He stays active in the veteran community promoting purpose and connection through cycling and physical activity.
The Scarlet Guard and American Legion Post 38 will support this event as the honor guard and rifle squad, along with musical elements from Joseph Scala and the Fox Valleyaires.
Then on Monday afternoon, the community is invited to join a special bench dedication ceremony honoring Army Staff Sgt. Dominic Joseph Hall, a decorated veteran and Appleton Police Department officer who passed away in 2022 after battling pancreatic cancer.
The dedication, organized in collaboration with Hall’s family, will take place along the CE Trail beginning at 12:30 p.m. near Green Way Drive in Combined Locks.
This event will recognize Hall’s commitment to service and honor his legacy in a location that holds personal significance to his family. The bench, accompanied by a commemorative plaque, will provide a lasting reminder of his life and sacrifice.
Schedule of Events:
- 12:30 PM: Opening comments (Kell Bales)
- 12:35 PM: Remarks by Outagamie County Parks Director (Justin Schumacher)
- 12:40 PM: Remarks by Appleton Police Department Officer (Ryan Guilette)
- 12:45 PM: Comments by Jacole (widow of Staff Sergeant Hall)
Following the dedication, attendees are invited to enjoy light refreshments and view a display of photos and medals commemorating Hall’s distinguished military and law enforcement careers.
About Staff Sergeant Dominic Joseph Hall
Hall served with honor and distinction, dedicating over a decade of his life to the U.S. Armed Forces. Enlisting as a Marine in 2008, he later joined the Army National Guard, where he completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Known for his courage and skill, he underwent extensive special operations training, including airborne and combat hunter training, and achieved numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Special Forces Tab.
Hall’s service extended to the Appleton Police Department, where he continued to protect and serve his community until his passing on Sept. 4, 2022, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
His widow, Jacole, and their sons, Victor and Thorin, selected the location of the bench as a cherished spot to honor his memory, where they can regularly reflect and remember “daddy’s bench.”
