Mark Lalli comes from a long line of soldiers, so his path was clear. He joined the U.S. Army in 2002 at 17. Mark was a passenger on a Black Hawk helicopter during a training in Italy in 2011 when the aircraft malfunctioned and crashed, killing 6 of the 11 on board. He suffered a severe brain injury from the crash and two-dozen broken bones. He still lives with memory loss and some paralysis.

Mark has found new purpose through sponsored programs like horseback riding after sustaining a life-altering injury during his time in the military. He is proud of what he has proven to himself and his family throughout his journey with the Wounded Warrior Project.