Reservist running to aid of Marines

September 24, 2007
By Monica Serrano Post-Tribune staff writer

Aaron Bibler has found a way to show support for fellow Marines.

Bibler, a 22-year-old Marine reservist from Kouts, will participate in the 26.2-mile Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 28 in Washington, D.C., to raise funds for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to Marines injured in combat.

"This organization provides enormous support to injured Marines and their families," Bibler said.

Bibler first heard of the Semper Fi Fund after his close friend, Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill of Indianapolis, lost his legs in Iraq a year ago. Bibler learned that the organization paid for transportation, housing and meals for the Bleill family while they visited their son at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Bleill remains at Walter Reed Hospital and is undergoing physical therapy to learn to walk again, Bibler said.

Bibler has another motivation to run the marathon and raise funds. His older brother, Nathan, 23, will be deployed to Iraq by the end of the month.

"We are in the military and although you hope never to get injured, you just don't know," Bibler said.

Bibler, a political science major at Purdue North Central, has been training for the marathon for the last five months.

Although he has never participated in a marathon before, he was in the track team at Kouts High School.

Last year, 200 runners pledged support to the Semper Fi Fund and helped raise close to $130,000. This year, there are 300 runners in support of the Semper Fi Fund. The goal for this year is to raise $150,000.

"The marathon is nicknamed the people's marathon because anyone can help," said Wendy Lethin, the director of Donor Development for the Semper Fi Fund.

Bibler already has raised $2,000 for the Semper Fi Fund. Anyone interested in assisting Bibler can contact him at 766-2579 or e-mail him at aaronbibler@gmail.com.

Ellie