The Boston Marathon was run Monday by a diverse cast of remarkable and inspiring individuals. Veterans, civilians, and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing 4 years ago all competed against each other in the grueling 26.2 mile run.
Many of their stories are to be commended, yet few will be as heart-warmingly patriotic as the story of personal achievement of and obstacles overcome by this Marine.
Meet retired Marine Staff Sergeant Jose Luis Sanchez.
Sergeant Sanchez served in Japan, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In October of 2011, Sanchez stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, losing his left leg below the knee.
If you thought that was going to stop Sanchez, please think again.
Sanchez learned to run again.
According to the Boston Globe:
Staff Sergeant Jose Luis Sanchez, a Marine who lost the lower part of his left leg after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan in 2011. He ran his first marathon in 2015 in Washington D.C., and finished last year’s Boston Marathon in just under six hours
This year, he qualified again.
Read the full story on IRJ.com