Injured Iraq War Vet Inspires Others

Injured Iraq War Vet Inspires Others
May 8, 2012
Written by
Scott Brown

BUFFALO, N.Y. - "I notice I'm on fire, that's alarming to me because I have grenades strapped to my chest."

Mark O'Brien has a way of getting his audience's attention, whether he's talking to volunteer firefighters about the importance of wearing safety gear.

"This whole time I'm yelling let me die, let me die I don't want to live."

Or to middle school students about bullying.

"Anybody that posts something to make somebody's day horrible, you're a coward."

It's easy to hear that Mark O'Brien is a compelling speaker, and it's easy to see that his message is reinforced every time he gestures with his right arm or takes a step with his right leg because of the prosthetics he wears.

Although O'Brien's personality and presence makes it seem like he's been doing this for years, in reality he's only been publicly speaking for about six months.
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