I really don’t think words can justify what you feel during certain circumstances like yesterday, but I can try my best. 
I’ve always heard that actions speak louder than words and that seemed to hold true during Freedom Run 9 that ended up being a 7.6 mile run.
On Wednesday of this past week, I was invited and requested to take part in a special event.  Another Minnesota solider had lost his life alongside another young warrior from Grand Rapids, MI on August 14^th in Afghanistan.  I received a text message on my way back from Milwaukee on Monday the 15^th from one of my big supporters, Gabe, a fellow runner and also my chiropractor, mentioning that a soldier from the Fosston area had been killed.  His name was Matthew Harmon, a guy that is only eight months older than me, graduated a year ahead of me from Fosston High School and had a wife and three kids.  It’s never a good thing regardless of their situation, whether it’d be a single guy or one with a family, but when you hear they’ve got three young kids, you can’t help but feel so bad for them. 
Gail Straub, another strong supporter of Philco’s Freedom Team and what we do (I consider her part of my team, too) was the one who asked me to do a run the day of Matt’s funeral.  Once I heard about his passing, I really wanted to be part of it in some way, even just to be there in support.  I was planning on (if it worked with my schedule) to bring my flag I carry at all races and accompany the Patriot Guard in their flag line.  That was my initial plan.  Gail had a different idea and I’m glad she did. 
She asked if I would run from Fosston to Lengby, where Matt was to be laid to rest.  Initially, I had to decline, knowing that I had a previous commitment that evening in Hillsboro, ND.  She wrote me again and asked if I could accomplish it prior to departing for North Dakota. 
Once I get something in my head, I try to figure out a way to make it happen, especially for a fallen soldier and his family.  I wrote back and called to make sure things were clear of how I needed to ensure that this would be done right and to make sure I was allotted enough time to get to my destination that night.  It worked out better than I had thought it would.
I told Gail I needed to start from the Fosston High School, which was the site of Matt’s funeral, no later than 1:45pm.  She told me that would be fine.  There was a lot of people outside of the school at that time lining up to be prepared for the processional after the service.  I also needed an escort from Fosston to Lengby as it’s on a major highway and cars may not slow down for a guy running with the American flag.  Some even stayed in the right lane while I had the escorts in front and behind me with their hazards on, going the speed limit (65 mph) or faster.  That was really cool and very nice of them , but not really.
I must say, it felt good to know I was protected by some great people during this run.  I sent out a request for anyone that could help and be an escort on Wednesday afternoon, once it was confirmed and officially going to be a reality to do this.  Within about ten minutes of posting, I received a text message from my friend Kyle.  He was asking the details of the day and what was going to happen.  I was at the gym working out at the time so I called him later that night to inform him of what was planned.  He agreed to take part and drive my vehicle, decked out in Freedom Team decals, Patriot Guard decals and some flags flying in the wind on the windows. 
I also got a hold of a few other people that made it extra special for me.  My parents, Steve & Bev and my brother, Kevin all came to drive as well.  Kev is the guy I’ve talked about from Robotek Kustomz that customized the Freedom Team Jeep you’ve seen pictures of.  He drove that as the lead vehicle, followed by Kyle in my car and my parents protecting me from oncoming traffic behind us, directly behind me.  That right there is something you can only picture, but to be there would have made it seem even better for you. 
We met behind a building across from the school around 1:15pm to go through the details of what I wanted them to do.  I also went through signals I would give during the run if I needed to stop or needed hydration, which did happen a few times.  I’m not used to having exhaust from a vehicle in front of me for over seven miles in a row, so I needed to stop and get some fresh air and replenish my thirst a few times on the route. 
There were many parts that really stood out for me, first of which was walking from the parking lot to the front of the school on highway two.  We went by all the bikes from the PGR that were parked and right when we got to the stop sign to turn onto the highway, some Patriot Guard started to notice I was taking aim at the running route and they started to shift gears to watching us start up. It was like a domino effect…one by one they started to turn around and face their flags towards us.  We stopped in front of the school where I took a knee, did a quick dedication and asked my friend Corey who was watching down on us to welcome another team member to the team named Matt Harmon. 
The slow start in Fosston turned a lot of heads.  Some that were walking to the school stopped and put their hand on their hearts, a few yelled to us and wished good luck while others tried to hold back tears.  My favorite part in Fosston before heading out down the highway was right before the hospital.  There was some kind of event going one, looked like a family type event...where parents and their kids were having fun.  As we neared that location which was on the north side of the road, so way on the other side of us,  I heard one of the dads yell “Let’s go over here for a second, look at this…”  There was a group of probably 40-50 people that slowly walked up the yard they were at so they were closer to the highway, one by one they started clapping and cheering.  At that moment, I felt like I was at an actual marathon event again.  Just down the road by the Super 8 another group of people were there waiting and supporting us and the Harmon family as well that day.  I got a text message from my friend Ben who told me he’d be at that point with his family.  As we went by there, they were on our side of the road, Ben shook my hand as I went by.  That was the last group we saw for a little while. 
There was a few little groups posted up along the way down the highway out in the country.  A route I’ve driven many times, but when you run it, it seems like such a long journey.  Cars coming from behind us and on the other side of the highway would honk.  Some waved as they went by, some slowed down to take pictures, others gave a thumbs up out the windows. 
I could see for over a mile the group gathered at the turn to go to Lengby.  From that point on, there was some bigger groups every quarter mile or less, which made for a nice finish.  At that first turn, the Fosston Fire Department, many Legionnaires from different areas including Mahnomen were represented and quite a few community members.  It was right by a rest stop that’s kind of on a hill to your left when you’re going east on that highway.  Some were in lawn chairs with flags next to them, others were just standing alongside the road.  When we started to draw near with our escort, people made their way down the hill and came to cheer us on.  There was some kids playing on the top of the hill to our right, they sprinted down to get a good spot on the side of the road right next to us as we passed. 
One of the defining moments for me personally during this run was right in Lengby.  As we got a little ways into town, there were people lined through every block there.  Hard to pick out people one by one to see if there was anyone I knew, but one of them stood out and I almost lost it when I saw him.  A younger kid, not sure of the age, was with his dad.  His dad had his arm around the boy and a camera in the other hand.  That little boy took his hat off, stood a little taller and started crying.  Another moment during this run that I just can’t explain in words.  If you witnessed this while passing this kid, I’m pretty sure you would have felt the same way I did. 
We made the final two turns where some other fire trucks were lined on each corner.  The first I heard on the CB from their truck that must have been cranked up pretty loud, “The guy with the flag and his escort is coming through now, they’re on the way out to the cemetery, this is not the processional but be prepared he’ll be there soon.”  On the final turn to the cemetery, the other fire truck was communicating back to them about how we had just passed them and will be ending at the cemetery as we just passed their turn. 
With the three stops, battling the exhaust and hills, I was able to get to the cemetery and finish the 7.6 mile journey in just over seventy minutes.  We departed the school as planned at 1:40pm and ended at the cemetery in Lengby at 2:52pm.  I needed to be out of Lengby by no later than 3:10pm, which gave me some time to get some water, catch my breath and thank some of the people who were out there awaiting the arrival of Sgt. Harmon and the rest of the processional. 

I never thought I’d be part of something like this.  I honestly wish I wouldn’t have to be, meaning I don’t want them coming back like this, instead coming back strong and healthy to spend the rest of their lives with family and friends. 
Another soldier who sacrificed everything so we can enjoy everything here in the USA.  I hope people will remember Matt Harmon and what he did for them.  May you rest in peace, Matt.  I wish I didn’t have to say this, but welcome to the team.  We will run to remember you and all of the other departed soldiers with you now. 

My thanks goes out to my parents, Steve and Bev Philion, my brother Kevin Philion, good friends Kyle Larson, Gail Straub & Eric Robb.  My parents, brother and Kyle all drove to escort me during this run and keep me safe on the highway.  You were all part of something special, thank you for being part of it!
To Gail for inviting and requesting that I be there.  I’m glad it worked out the way it did, just too bad I couldn’t be there for the processional to help say goodbye to a guy I never knew.  And Eric, he took some very nice pictures (as did Kyle) during the run.  Thank you so much to all who were involved! 
To the lady from Rochester who gave me a water after the run, thank you, it helped a dehydrated kid get some energy back after another run. 
Finally to the Patriot Guard…you do such a great job of helping keep the memory of our soldiers alive, too.  Honor, Dignity, Respect – It goes a long way.   
Next run will be in Marquette, MI this coming Saturday.  We’ll make it another memorable experience.