Former Marine to Be Iraq War Vet's Legs in Marathon

Suppose a stranger showed up at your doorstep and Offered Thurs help you run a marathon. How would you REACT?

Well, Marine Sgt. Eddie Ryan Did not Know How to REACT either "when former Marine Bryan Purcell showed up at his door back on April 1

But this offer was no joke. It was very Serious Thurs Purcell, a pilot for Skywest Airlines.

You see, Ryan has had occurred two big dreams in his life: one was Thurs Become a Marine and was on the other to Run in the Marine Corps Marathon, a grueling event That takes place every Halloween in Washington, DC

Ryan Fulfilled That first dream in 2002 after graduating from high school in Ellenville, NY, and landing in Iraq a few months later.

HOWEVER, That second dream seemed impossible on April 13, 2005, "when Ryan was shot in the head Twice - once in his lower jaw and once Above his eye - and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.

On April 14, his parents found themselves staring at the two Marines Their doorstep Who Said Their son HAD Been Wounded in Iraq. The next day, They Flew overseas to see him in the hospital.

Ryan wasn't EE to live, But they did. The Doctors said they Would not Recognize his family. They said they was likely to die of an infection. They Said They Would not Be Able Thurs move again, evangelical or speak again.

In time, Ryan surpassed everyone's Expectations. They still can not walk is his own and his left hand is weaker please his right, But He Is EE Thurs walk Eventually.

That Inconvenient Despite setback, Ryan, 26, is getting ready to compete in his first marathon.

That's Where Purcell, 36, in COMESA. Although they showed up on Ryan's doorstep Nearly seven months ago, they's been planning this since 2007, ever since they saw an HBO special titled "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq," Produced by former "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini, That featured Wounded Service Members, Including Sgt. Ryan.

DURING the interview, Ryan's mother looked at him and asked him if they was going to walk again. They replied, "Well. I'm gonna run."