Welles Crowther

Welles Crowther in his lacrosse jersey-number 19 (www.redbandannarun.com/ (Boston College Volunteer & Service Learning Center))

Welles Remy Crowther, 24, wanted to do something to help others.  He knew that his job as an equities trader would never give him the opportunity to do so.  That's why he decided to change careers and become a New York City Fireman.  Crowther had already made the decision to take a new path in his life on the morning of September 11, 2001, but he was still working for Sandler, O'Neill and Partners on the 104^th floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.  Crowther cared very much for others and was always the first person to tell you good job. What happened that day not only allowed Crowther to help others, but to also demonstrate heroism while making the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others.

Welles and his family (mother Alison, father Jefferson, and two younger sisters Honor and Paige) moved to Nyack New York where Welles attended high school there and went on to Boston College. When Welles was a young boy, his father, Jefferson gave him a red bandanna and told him that if he ever had to blow his nose, to use that. Welles kept that red bandana with him wherever he went. When he wore his lacrosse helmet, he would tie it on his head and wear it with him. He kept it in his pocket every day of his life. Crowther participated in his two favorite sports: ice hockey and lacrosse. Welles was always sporting number 19 on his jersey-his lucky number. One of his teammates said about him that "you could always count on a pat-on-the-back and a 'great job' from Welles." Crowther was very much interested in volunteering his time at the fire house in Nyack. His dream was to one day become a fire fighter working alongside those who want to risk their lives for others.

http://laxunation.com/2011/09/06/the-man-in-the-red-bandana-welles-crowther/ (Unknown)

Alison Crowther said that Welles also really wanted to work by Wall Street and be in business. That is how Welles ended up working in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He was an equities trader for Sandler, O'Neill and Partners on the 104^th floor. He somewhat enjoyed his job, but one day he called his dad and told him: "I can't sit behind a computer for the rest of my life, dad. I need to get out there and help people." (Crowther) Unfortunately, Crowther wasn't able to fulfill his dream. On September 11, 2001, United Airlines flight 175 hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. With a red bandana tied around his nose and mouth to keep the smoke out, he arrived on the Sky Deck, which was burning and on fire. According to Judy Wein, a woman that he saved that day told her husband Crowther's exact words that he said that day to the fallen people: "Everyone who can stand, stand now. If you can help someone, do so." Another woman Crowther saved was Ling Young, who he helped down the stairs with the first few people. She remembers him: "My guardian angel, no ifs, ands, or buts. Without him, we would be sitting there, I guess waiting for the building to come down." (Young) Crowther found the only working stair way left in the South Tower: Stairway A. After he helped as many people as he could down, he turned around and walked back up the stairs for more people. He never made it back down. Alison Crowther remembers her son after she found out about his heroic act in the New York Times. "I think he was blessed by God, and I think he was surrounded by a protection from God to be able to do what he did that day, and I think that that is -- maybe all we can ask of life, is that we live our lives as fully and as beautifully and as completely and as spiritually whole as what Welles did, as he did." (Alison Crowther)

Welles Crowther is a deserving hero beyond any other. He gave his life for people that he didn't even know - and did without a doubt of what might happen to him in his mind. When I first read this story it made me really think - would I have the strength and the will to do what Welles did on that morning? Or would I have thought only about myself? Welles Crowther will be remembered by many for the good friend, son, and hero he is to all of us.