As Wednesday marks the twenty third anniversary of the September 11 terrorist assaults, we should always all pause and replicate on these harmless lives misplaced that day, but additionally the tales of heroism of those that selflessly sacrificed themselves.
One title that involves thoughts is Welles Crowther, also called “The Man within the Crimson Bandana.” On the time of the assaults, Welles was working as an equities dealer on the 104th ground of the South Tower. He additionally volunteered as a firefighter in his hometown of Nyack, New York.
After United Flight 175 struck at 9:03 AM, Crowther made three journeys into the constructing to rescue survivors earlier than its collapse. His physique was found six months later.
WNBC posted the above about Welles’ story on Wednesday, together with quotes from interviews Chuck Scarborough did along with his dad and mom, Allison and Jeff Crowther.
Jeff Crowther spoke about his son’s heroism in that second: “He was appearing as a firefighter on the final hour of his life. He wasn’t an equities dealer anymore. He was a firefighter.”
In 2019, ESPN‘s “SC Featured” filmed a documentary on Crowther’s life. Right here, his father revealed his motivations not simply to work in an workplace, however that he felt known as to firefighting.
“Welles known as me at some point and stated, ‘You realize, dad, I feel wish to change my profession.’ I stated, ‘Excuse me?’ He stated, ‘I feel I wish to be a New York Metropolis firefighter.’ He additionally stated, ‘Dad, if I sit in entrance of this pc for the remainder of my life, I’ll go loopy.”
Crowther had carried a purple bandana with him since his childhood in Nyack. Whereas his father gave him his first one, he was seen carrying them all through his life.
Whilst a division one lacrosse participant for Boston School, Crowther may very well be seen sporting his purple bandana.
It was his distinctive purple bandana that helped determine Crowther for his household after 9/11, giving them the tragic information their son was gone.
ESPN paperwork the day was March 19, 2002, when his physique was found in what was the foyer of the South Tower. His household didn’t know till Could of that 12 months, when the New York Instances revealed testimony from that day the place a mysterious man carrying a purple bandana was calling out to these in want.
His mom later confirmed with survivors who encountered the person that who they noticed was, actually, her son.
She was devastated, telling WNBC, “The primary 12 months I had a lot bodily ache it was doing bodily injury to my physique.”
Whereas Jeff Crowther was so pleased with his sons’ actions in rescuing individuals, he nonetheless misses him dearly.
“However in fact, I’d commerce each little bit of that delight to have him standing with us right here proper now. However I used to be so very pleased with him and I knew that the world was him. And the world was seeing what a effective younger man he was.”
Whereas his household is heartbroken, Welles Crowther’s actions that day show character and selflessness we should always all hope to aspire to.
When his father was interviewed by ESPN, he gave a bible verse wherein Jesus stated one thing that completely sums up the lifetime of his son.
John 15:13 – “Better love has nobody than this, that somebody lay down his life for his buddies.”
This text appeared initially on The Western Journal.