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Wounded Marine to compete in marathon

A Marine from the Hudson Valley was shot twice in the head five years ago in Iraq, losing his ability to walk, but now he vows to complete a marathon with the help of a fellow Marine. Sgt. Eddie Ryan,

News 12 Staff

May 22, 2014, 7:28 PM

Updated 3,913 days ago

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A Marine from the Hudson Valley was shot twice in the head five years ago in Iraq, losing his ability to walk, but now he vows to complete a marathon with the help of a fellow Marine.
Sgt. Eddie Ryan, of Ellenville, says he was approached by former Staff Sgt. Bryan Purcell, from Chicago, who offered to be his legs in the Marine Corp. Marathon.
Purcell saw Ryan's story in an HBO documentary and offered to push Ryan in the 26.2-mile race being held in Washington, D.C., this October.
Purcell delivered a special chair called a handcycle to Ryan this week. They are currently making adjustments to it so that Purcell could steer and push Ryan when needed.