Former Marine Overcomes Injury To Run For The Troops

Former U.S. Marine Lance Corporal William Ely is spending his 4th of July weekend braving the heat - and overcoming injury - to support service men and women back on the front lines. Ely injured his back and legs during training and was unable to follow his unit as they were deployed to Afghanistan. Ely started the morning collecting care packages with the Blue Star Mothers. The care packages will go to support members of his unit. Then if was off and running under the hot July sun. "He had to learn to walk again, so to be able to run and do this is pretty amazing," said Angel Barrows, President of the Bartlesville Blue Star Mothers. Ely then ran through Ochelata along U.S. Highway 75. The Marine was escorted by many veterans and Patriot Guard Riders, finishing up his run in the Ochelata 4th of July parade.