Marine and Texas native, Jose Sanchez, crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon to thunderous, and well deserved applause. Just one of 30,000 runners that participated in the marathon this year, the veteran stood out for one big reason. Sanchez is an amputee.
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After being wounded in Afghanistan in 2011, Sanchez spent the next few years as a shut in. Upon shipping home, Sanchez described himself as antisocial and all but unable to relate to life after the military.
Sanchez’s buddies sent him a care package after his injury that Sanchez refused to open for 5 years. When he finally did, Sanchez found a folded American Flag with inspirational messages and notes from his brothers in arms.
Seeing that flag changed everything for Sanchez… it gave him new life and a new mission.
He started to train for his biggest race yet, the Boston Marathon. And after months upon months of hard work and intense training, the day finally came.
The veteran carried his buddies’ flag the entire race to honor the friends who walked alongside him as he battled through anger and depression.
The flag also served as a beacon to his cause, the Semper Fi Fund.
“The Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, ensuring that they have the resources they need during their recovery and transition back to their communities. We work to ensure that no one is left behind.”
In the video below, we find a freshly motivated Sanchez in the final feet of the Boston Marathon.
As Sanchez neared the finish, the crowd began building their encouragement until the cheers drowned out everything else.
Check out the incredible moment he crosses the line below.
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