The Boston Marathon has become a staple of patriotism over the years, and one runner took that spirit to new heights Monday.

Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Jose Luis Sanchez lost his leg to an IED in Afghanistan in October 2011, but that didn’t stop him from finishing this year’s marathon.

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The 33-year-old San Antonio native, who also finished the 2016 Boston Marathon, crossed the 2017 finish line with an official time of 5:46:13.

According to the Boston Herald:

The flag he carried yesterday was sent to him by his unit while he recovered in the hospital. Sanchez ran yesterday to support the Semper Fi Fund, which provides “immediate assistance and lifetime support for wounded, critically ill and injured service members and their families.”

“I wanted to not only recognize veterans but anyone that thinks they are not able to do something. I couldn’t stand for 3 seconds or walk for more than 2 feet. And I fought for four or five years to be able to walk farther, to lift my body up, and I kept on pushing it … so I wanted to push it further by doing the marathon,” Sanchez told the Herald.

For those interested in donating to the Semper Fi Fund, please visit SemperFiFund.org.