Hamilton resident and Navy veteran Travis Esrom turned Veterans Day into a personal tribute to the United States by running 27 miles while carrying the American flag. The effort, which began as a one‑mile‑at‑a‑time fitness goal, culminated in a route that took him from Woodside Cutoff, through Victor, down to downtown Hamilton, and back to his starting point.
Motivation rooted in family and service
Esrom, who spent four years repairing submarines for the Navy, said the run was driven by a desire to be a better husband and father. “I’m motivated by being a better man for my one‑year‑old daughter and my wife,” he explained. “They are the most amazing inspiration anyone could ask for.”
He added that the sacrifice and discipline of veterans who came before him laid the foundation for his own dreams. “It’s because of their sacrifice that I even have the aspirations I have,” Esrom said.
Community response along Highway 93
Drivers on Highway 93 showed their support, honking their horns as Esrom passed. Midway through the run, he told local reporter MTN that he had already counted “hundreds of honks.” By the time he finished, his social‑media post noted that the number of honks had surpassed 600, a testament to the community’s encouragement.
Running without a marathon background
Esrom emphasized that he had no prior marathon experience. “I got no background, no marathons, nothing, but I can, and I will do it,” he said. His determination reflects a broader message he wants to share: improvement comes day by day. “That one day gets easier every day, but it’s only ever just one day. In that one day you find the journey, you find what is beautiful about it,” he reflected.
Looking ahead
Two friends joined Esrom on this year’s run, and he hopes to make the 27‑mile flag‑carrying tradition an annual event. He encourages anyone seeking to better their lives to take small, consistent steps. “Every day that you get to be 1% better, you’re going to. And along the way, inadvertently, you’re going to help somebody,” he said.
Esrom’s feat underscores the spirit of service that many Hamilton veterans embody, turning personal challenges into public displays of patriotism and community pride.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
