# Mark oral history interview conducted by Allison Brons, July 13, 2010

September 11th destroyed Mark both physically and emotionally. Before the event he was engaged, ready to start a family, and working as a ballistic and integrity specialist with the NYPD. He was responsible for testing officer's equipment to ensure their safety. Now, nearly ten years later, he is single, living with his parents, and disabled. He suffers from PTSD, severe depression, obstructive lung disease, migraines, and more all as a result of his time at Ground Zero. Although he doesn't remember much, Mark knows he was caught in the collapse and recalls the dust and confusion. He worked at the site for six months primarily transporting fuel and diesel to other agencies. A few days after the event, he remembers hearing what sounded like gunshots. He is bothered by the fact that he will never know if this sound was the fire getting to the bullets hidden in the debris or if it was trapped officers giving up. Mark was uneasy about the thoughts and feelings he was having so he began to self-medicate with alcohol. He lost his fiancé and friends because he was not emotionally available to others. Around anniversaries he is self-destructive and his family worries. His only solace is martial arts. Although he is physically unable to do most things, he says his dojo instructor is helpful. His instructor listens to him and can calm him down. Mark feels the government is doing a good job at preventing other incidents from happening. But Mark hopes people don't forget the responders…

- Kind: Interview
- Year: 2010
- Runtime: 34 min
- By: Brons, Allison
- Genres: History
- Archive: [Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2015048_021/)
- Licence or status: Rights statement at the Library of Congress (as the archive states it)
- Credit: Library of Congress
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/loc/afc2015048_021?play=1)