There are many heroes that come out of the tragedy that was 9/11. One of the most well known is “The Man in the Red Bandana,” or as we now know him, Welles Crowther.
After the south tower of the World Trade Center was struck, Crowther, who was working on the 104th floor in the south tower, rushed down to the 78th floor, covering his mouth and nose with a red bandana to avoid breathing in smoke.
Crowther, who was also a volunteer firefighter, used his first aid skills to help injured passengers. He also found a fire extinguisher to try and help put out the fire. Crowther even carried a woman on his back down seventeen stories to the 61st floor. In total, he saved 18 people by calmly directing them to the only functioning staircase on the 78th floor, saving their lives. Crowther unfortunately was still in the south tower when it collapsed resulting in him losing his life.
Months after the towers collapsed, stories spread about “The Man in the Red Bandana,” but he was still unidentified. It was only later on that his mother, Alison Crowther, read an article about heroes during 9/11 and knew it was her son Welles, who has had that red bandana since he was a little kid.
Welles Crowther played lacrosse at Boston College, and Crowther is still honored at the college to this day. The football has an annual “Red Bandana Game” where they wear special uniforms. Boston College also holds a 5k in his honor. The Premier Lacrosse League awarded Welles a Welles Crowther Humanitarian Award, which is given to the player who makes the greatest impact on the their community.
While we honor the passing of those lives lost during 9/11, we should also honor all the heroes and innocent civilians involved in the tragic event.
