A wounded warrior in Ellenville is just months away from turning his dream into reality. Our Elaina Athans shows us how the wheelchair-bound Marine will soon be able to run.

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. -- For two months, two hours a day Sergeant Eddie Ryan has been preparing for battle. One that will test this Marine's strength and determination. He wants to run in the Marine Corps Marathon.

"I always believed that my son was strong willed and he would accomplish much," said Sgt. Ryan's mother Angie.
But he cannot do it alone. Sgt. Ryan is unable to walk after being injured in Iraq.But an essential stranger stepped in offering his legs. Fellow Marine Staff Sergeant Bryan Purcell was inspired to help after seeing the wounded warrior in a documentary.

"The Marine Corps is a brotherhood. We always take care of each other. We're one big family and when one Marine needs a little bit of motivation and little bit of help, then we step up and do whatever we need to do," said Ssg. Bryan Purcell.

While the two will work together in the run, Sgt. Ryan will have to pull his own weight. On Tuesday, the tool needed for his end of the deal arrived. A hand-cycle was made especially so that come October, he and his running mate can push through more than 26 miles.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Sgt. Ryan. "It's gonna feel like the world."

"This is going to be something that will motivate anybody," said Ssg. Purcell.

Sgt. Ryan's personal trainor Mark Potempa said,"We are mostly working on his cardiovascular fitness here for this marathon and he's having tremendous progress."

The duo will tell you, the fight they are in for will be grueling, but one that will mark a milestone once they cross the finish line.

"Eddie had a long hard journey and for him to reach this goal would mean so much to him and to all of us," said Sgt. Ryan's mom Angie. "It's part of Eddie's dreams."