Dock, flagpole at Camp Victory dedicated to veteran, veteran supporter

In the spirit of remembrance, Camp Victory dedicated a new dock and flagpole on May 24, both holding special significance based on the individuals to whom they were dedicated.

The dock on the camp pond was in honor of John Laabs Sr. John and his wife, Joan, of Tomahawk, volunteered at the camp for about five years. John passed away in June 2023.

“John loved coming here. There’s not a more beautiful place in Wisconsin. I think this place will continue to grow and help even more veterans,” said Joan.

John’s son, John Laabs Jr., also spoke, saying his father had a passion for fishing and a great appreciation for those who wore the uniform, making this project a perfect fit.

“While my father never served, his older brother served in Korea and he had uncles who served. He had a special affinity and respect for those who served… Mom and I and the whole family are happy that so many people will be able to enjoy the pond here,” said John Laabs Jr.

The flagpole and flag were installed in memory of Cody Clayclamp, who served in the infantry in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of specialist. He was based out of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2017.

Cody’s mother and stepfather, Marsha and Jeremy

Please see Camp Victory, page 3 Camp Victory,

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Freyholtz of Hutchinson, Minn., were at the ceremony.

“Cody took his life (on May 13, 2018) after dealing with some alcoholism and things like that,” said Jeremy. “And we had talked to him the week before this happened and said, ‘Cody, it sounds like you’re struggling. You need to find some help or reach out to someone.’ And he’s in El Paso at this time and we’re in Minnesota so it’s real hard for us to be hands-on with any of this. And he said, ‘If I ask for any more help, I’m going to get thrown out, and then what do I do? I’m gonna lose my job, lose what I’m going to be doing. So I’m just going to have to figure out a way to deal with it.’

“And Cody’s way of dealing with things was the outdoors. From the time he was little, he loved holding a fishing pole. When he was a little older, he was shooting BB guns. He was hunting, he was camping — it was his favorite thing to do. So when Steve (Frisinger) from Marine Plus (of Cadott) called me about this project, I thought, ‘This is a project that I can really get behind and fall in love with.’” Frisinger became involved with the project thanks to Al Lamovec, camp founder. Lamovec had been looking for a company to install a dock at Camp Victory and reached out to Marine Plus since he was already familiar with them, the company having taken Al’s own dock in and out of Lake Wissota for the past 20 years. Marine Plus is a local dealer of Porta-Dock docks.

Frisinger contacted Porta-Dock about getting a dock for Camp Victory. Porta-Dock is based in Dassel, Minn., and Jeremy has been the operations manager there for 25 years. With Jeremy’s connection to the military with his son, it only made sense that he wanted to get involved with the project. Jeremy presented the project to the Porta-Dock owners and they were happy to donate to it.

Steve and Brenda Frisinger of Marine Plus transported and installed the dock. Now, it will be used to provide many peaceful summer afternoons of fishing for veterans and their families.

“I know my son would have loved this place… Thank you for allowing us to honor our son in this way,” said Jeremy.

“I wish Cody would have known about opportunities like this. Maybe it would have saved him,” said Marsha.

She said she was grateful though that the camp would help other service members who are struggling like Cody was.

The May 24 ceremony also included the presentation and retirement of the colors by Bever American Legion Post 550 and Bever Sons of the American Legion Post 550, both of Brackett, an unincorporated village south of Eau Claire. Lamovec led the Pledge of Allegiance, Camp Victory Board of Directors President Mary Randall led in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Chaplain Jerry Kilde offered the invocation. After the ceremony, refreshments were provided in the camp lodge.

Camp Victory, N9839 Sterling Ave., Willard, is situated on 295 acres of diverse woodlands and fields in rural Clark County. The camp has a mission of offering veterans and their families health, hope and healing opportunities through the outdoors. The camp will host its annual open house with food, games, camp tours and other activities on July 27.

For more information, visit CampVictoryInc.org.

Jeremy and Marsha Freyholtz of Hutchinson, Minn., stand beneath a flagpole that was put up at Camp Victory in memory of their son, Cody Claycamp.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO