BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015 VOL. 53 NO. 46 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
VILLAGE PLAYERS: Community actors to stage “Don’t Hug Me.” P10
Grantsburg loses native son BY STEVE BRIGGS AND TODD BECKMANN SENTINEL
GRANTSBURG—Several dozen people in the small community of Grantsburg gathered in prayer Friday night to mourn the loss of a native son. Sgt. Carson Holmquist, 25, one of the four Marines killed in the Chattanooga shootings Thursday, grew up in Grantsburg and graduated from high school in 2008. “He came from a good town, full of good people,” Mickey Mikeworth, Holmquist’s aunt, said at Friday’s vigil. The Holmquist family released a statement regarding the tragedy Friday evening. “We are deeply grieving the loss
of Sgt. Carson Holmquist,” Caitlin Drake, family spokesperson said. “He was a devoted father and husband. He was also a brother, son, and a loving friend to many. He served his country as a Marine since 2009, served overseas in Okinawa Japan, and did a tour in Afghanistan.” He received an award for his service in Afghanistan and was decorated with many other honors for his conduct. “Carson was devoted to serving his country and gave his free time to many individual causes,” Drake continued. “Carson was an avid fisherman, hunter and he loved farming. He was just about to take ownership of his grandfather’s tractor to restore it to its former glory. He was married in 2012 to Jasmine and has a two year-old son,
Wyatt.” Grantsburg High School Principal Josh Watt called Friday a tough day in a patriotic community. He remembers a dedicated football player who played all four years at Grantsburg, starting the last two at defensive back. Watt, who also served as assistant football coach, says Carson was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was very connected to the outdoors. Watt says he vividly remembers when Holmquist paid a return visit to school after boot camp. “The greatest memory I have of him was when he first visited our school after graduating from boot camp and he was so proud — it was just great to
Return, rest and renew
Cancer survivor gets dream trip BY STEVE BRIGGS SENTINEL
GRANTSBURG—Some MakeA-Wish Foundation stories have a happy ending. Sawyer Coy of Grantsburg is living proof. The Make-A-Wish Foundation arranges experiences (described as “wishes”) to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Sawyer, his mother Stacy Coy and Sawyer’s high school chum Nathan Swenson celebrated Sawyer’s first full year in cancer remission with an expenses-paid, Make-A-Wish (MAW) trip to the world’s largest video game convention, June 15-20 in Los Angeles. In April of last year (2014), two days before his 16th birthday, Sawyer was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma, which some doctors call “the fastest growing human tumor.” Chemotherapy began two days later at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. Fortunately for Sawyer and more than half of Burkitts Lymphoma patients, intensive chemotherapy helps them achieve longterm survival. On Saturday, July 4, Sawyer celebrated a full first year in remission. He has been in for check-ups every three months, and after receiving a good report at his most recent visit in May, he
Carson Holmquist
SEE HOLMQUIST, PAGE 7
BY TODD BECKMANN SENTINEL
trip is something special to do before they die.” While it’s true that MAW trips are for kids with a terminal illness, the organization is trying to change the belief that every MAW child dies. “It just means you were thrown into something very
DAIRYLAND—From ‘pie in the sky’ planning nearly five years ago to a completed pavilion and a framed-in utility/maintenance shop on the shores of the Tamarack River Flowage, the Dairyland Outdoor Veteran’s Retreat (DOVR) is coming to fruition. “Knowing there was no veteran’s facility north of Highway 29, we wanted to establish something,” Ron Deyo said. “We want vets to enjoy what we enjoy everyday.” Deyo, president of the DOVR organization, first made that comment four years ago when the retreat was just a pipe dream. In fact, the corporation’s mission statement took it a step further and spelled out their intent fairly succinctly. “We are a community of individuals whose purpose is to serve American veterans by developing and operating a retreat center facility and campground in the Town of Dairyland for all veterans to experience in a healthy recreational setting,” With all the clearing and building which is going on, it’s obvious the group is determined. “We are getting stuff done,” Deyo remarked. “We want to get the shop finished this year and maybe construct four R.V. pads as the start of our campground — we could even get campers here yet this fall.” The shop, with the help of Carpenters Local 361 out of Duluth/Superior, went from bare ground to a framed-in building in less than a week. “We couldn’t have done this without their help,”
SEE COY, PAGE 6
SEE DOVR, PAGE 7
STACY COY | SENTINEL
Sawyer Coy (right) and high school friend Nathan Swenson were whisked to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport via a limousine.
has been bumped up to every sixmonth check-ups. Eventually he will have annual check-ups for 10 years. He and his doctors are optimistic he has beaten it. Mom Stacy was alarmed when the staff at Minneapolis Children’s suggested Sawyer apply for a MAW trip. “I always thought a kid getting a Make-A-Wish means he’s not going to recover, and the
• Hospital with Family Birth Center • 24 hour Emergency Services • Physical, Occupational, Speech, Massage Therapy • Diagnostic Imaging • Home Care
Spooner Health System 819 Ash Street • Spooner, WI • 715-635-2111 www.spoonerhealthsystem.com
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