Neighbor George Bachmann is a retired firefighter whose memoir, "Tara's Cross," details his experience of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the slow recovery that followed severe injuries he sustained. The Daily News caught up with him at his book signing in Park Slope earlier this week.
Bachmann didn't remember anything about 9/11 because falling debris outside the north tower had trapped him, breaking his back and cracking his skull. He reluctantly underwent grief counseling with the hope of unlocking suppressed memories so he could testify to FDNY officials about what he'd witnessed at the World Trade Center.
"I wanted to give back," said Bachmann, who attended many funerals for the 343 firefighters and paramedics killed in the attack. "I had to be fully accountable for where I was."
His therapist introduced him to dream therapy and hypnosis, which released a flood of memories about his role as a first responder during the tragedy.
Bachmann was honored for his service at last weekend's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
You can buy his book online here.
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