APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – On Veterans Day, the Appleton community gathered for a special bench dedication in honor of Army Staff Sergeant Dominic Joseph Hall, a decorated veteran and former Appleton Police officer. The event recognized Hall’s years of dedicated service and paid tribute to his legacy in a location of personal significance to his family. The bench, which features a commemorative plaque, will serve as a lasting reminder of his life and sacrifice. Local businesses honor veterans with free services and special offers across northeast Wisconsin Staff Sergeant Hall passed away on Sept. 4, 2022, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His widow, Jacole, and their sons, Victor and Thorin, chose the bench’s location as a cherished spot to remember him, affectionately referring to it as "daddy’s bench." Hall served in the U.S. Armed Forces for over a decade, enlisting as a Marine in 2008 before joining the Army National Guard. He completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout his military career, Hall earned several honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Special Forces Tab.