Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Wisconsin Marine Killed In Tennessee Shooting

GRANTSBURG, Wis. (WCCO) -- A small Wisconsin town has the attention of the nation Saturday. Sgt. Carson Holmquist died in the shooting rampage at the Chattanooga recruitment center last week.

He was 25 years old, a husband to Jasmine and father to 2-year-old Wyatt. He was one of four marines and one sailor killed last week.

The town of less than 1,500 people saw just about that amount at Sgt. Holmquist's public visitation Saturday. It was held at the Marine's former high school.

Capt. Andrew Crestman -- who oversaw Sgt. Holmquist's unit -- came from New Orleans for the event.

"When we lose a Marine, we lose a member of our family," he said. "It was shocking to us, too, not something you'd expect to happen at home."

Unfortunately it did, and now a Marine General Richard P. Mills is going from funeral to funeral after losing four of his own.

"We are here today, we'll continue on to make it to all of the others, paying respects and representing the commandant, representing Marines everywhere in honor of these brave individuals," Gen. Mills said.

Sgt. Bredbenner was in Sgt. Holmquist's unit. He cave from New Jersey to pay respects to his friend and fellow Marine.

"He was an awesome Marine, he was a friend, a brother, and we'll definitely miss him," Sgt. Bredbenner said.

Many others stood in line at Sgt. Holmquist's old high school to see his flag draped coffin.

"He's a hometown hero," Grantsburg resident Nicole Brenicer said.

It seems he's now a national one, too.

"The individuals went down hard," Gen. Mills said. "They went down fighting and they saved other Marines lives. I think they represent Corp and country extraordinarily well."

Sgt. Holmquist's fellow Marine said he and the others who lost their lives will likely be considered for Purple Hearts.

After the visitation, Sgt. Holmquist's family had a private family memorial. The crowd Saturday appeared to be in the thousands, and some said it may have doubled the town's population.

"It's our town," Brencier said. "People don't know about it, but at the end of the day, it's our town, our hero. He deserves respect."