Welles Crowther

( (WellesCrowtherTrust.org))

"If you are able to stand then stand now, if you are capable to help others then help now,"(Crowther). It was a bright sunny morning on September 11th 2001. It was just like any other day in New York City. Welles Crowther was at work as an equities trader in the south tower at World Trade Center when hijacked planes suddenly crashed against the towers. On that day in the midst of the largest terrorist attack on American soil a hero was born. At first Welles Crowther was able to exit the burning building, but he made a conscious decision to go back inside and help those still stuck as the building continued to burn. Upon his return he was able to save twelve lives, those who were struggling to exit the building. But his persistent desire to help as many as he could finally took his own life when the buildings collapsed. His selfless and brave decision to put others' lives above his has made him an inspiration and an influential hero to others. Welles Crowther is a hero because he showed exemplary bravery, selflessly risked his own life to save others, and lastly his actions will serve to influence many more.

When first exiting the building Crowther had called home informing them that he had made it out of the building, but his family was unaware that he had gone back inside. In the weeks that followed that tragic day it seemed as if Crowther's heroism would be lost forever, buried among the ruins of the towers. His mother could not rest not knowing what had happened to her son. "Nearly nine months later, two references in a New York Times article to a "mysterious man in a red handkerchief" caught the eye of Welles mother. She was able to contact eyewitnesses, Judy Wein and Ling Young, who, through photographs, confirmed that Welles was indeed the man with the red bandanna who had saved their lives and many others that day."(VoicesofSeptember11.org) Young and Wein's recollections of those harrowing hours helped paint the picture of a hero, one that had made it to safety and could have easily chosen to walk away from danger, but instead chose a different path. He chose to face the clearly present danger and walk into the burning building to save others. Before becoming an equities trader Crowther was a firefighter, and on "on September 11, 2001 when the attacks on the World Trade Center began, Welles was no longer an equities trader. He became a firefighter."(CrowtherTrust.org) Even though he had been living the corporate life, he was always a firefighter at heart, and it came as no surprise to those who knew him well that he acted instinctively, the only way he knew how, when he decided to re-enter that burning building. He could not have simply walked away. For the lives he saved that day, for the bravery he displayed he is fondly remembered as the man in the red bandanna.

( (WellesCrowtherTrust.org))

"Welles' final hours remained a mystery until an article about September 11th printed in The New York Times (5/26/02) mentioned eyewitness reports of a mysterious man in a red bandanna on the 78th floor Sky Lobby of 2 World Trade Center when the second plane crashed into the south tower."(CrowtherTrust.org) Although Welles was assumed to have died in the disastrous 9/11 there was no knowledge of what had happened to him in his final hours. However, as eyewitnesses recounted their memories of that horrific day the portrait of the mysterious man in the red bandanna slowly came to life. It became evident that Welles had sacrificed his own life to save the lives of others. With total disregard for his own safety he went into a burning building and stayed in the building helping people get out, knowing very well that each moment could be his last. " ..Welles Remy Crowther, also known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna," who saved as many as 12 people, according to survivor accounts, following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. While the world was watching but hope seemed lost, Crowther reminded us what's possible when courage is summoned and fear renounced, renewing our faith in humanity during one of the darkest days in American history."(American Heroes Channel And USA) With an uncanny selflessness and unmatched bravery Welles did not succumb to fear and terror, instead until his last breath he was determined to help as many as he could.

It has become evident that, "This man organized a rescue effort on the floors high above where the official rescue workers were able to reach. He called for fire extinguishers, he found and directed dazed and confused victims to the only stairwell that was open for escape, and he carried a woman down to the 61st floor, then returned to the 78th floor to rescue more people. He turned back up once again after bringing the second group of survivors down,"(CrowtherTrust.org). As we learned more about Welles heroic actions through the accounts of those who truly owed their lives to him it became clear that Welles was not only helping in the rescue effort, but he had organized and led a rescue operation. For those he had helped that day he left behind an indelible memory of courage who will continue to pass on his story influencing generations to come. Welles' story of utter disregard for his own life to save twelve others, his story of leadership in the face of death not only inspire us but also influence us to help our fellow human beings in times of needs even if it means our own lives are in jeopardy. Welles has showed us that regardless of what our occupation might be that we always have the opportunity to influence others through our actions. To keep his memory alive as a source of inspiration for future generations Welles family was able to administer a foundation to assist in the preservation of his legacy. "The Crowther family established The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust to honor Welles memory through scholarships and support of organizations that assist young people in their pursuit of excellence. The Crowther family has created the Red Bandanna foundation with the sole purpose of influencing people to do the right thing."(VoicesofSeptember11.org) They hope to make a difference in the world by keeping the memory of Welles alive for he embodied the many traits that it takes to become a hero.

On a day that started just like any other Welles Crowther was just an ordinary citizen. The events that transpired gave him the opportunity to become an extraordinary hero. He could have shrunk from that opportunity and take the safe road home, but instead he chose to put others above him and stayed. His story teaches us that any one of us can be hero when the opportunity presents itself. His story is one of sheer selflessness, unimaginable bravery and a story that will continue to to influence and inspire us. As Henry Scheliff put it eloquently, "Heroes like Welles Crowther are born in a moment but live on for eternity as symbols of staggering courage and personal sacrifice in defense of the greater good"'(Henry Schleiff,)

 "American Heroes Channel Teams with the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust." Entertainment Close-up 16 Sept. 2014. Biography in Context. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

URL"

"Welles Remy Crowther Trust." Welles Remy Crowther Trust. Alison Crowther, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 04 Feb. 2016."

"American Heroes Channel And USA TODAY Partner To Search For The 'Red Bandanna Hero Award' Winner -- America's Ultimate Selfless Hero." PR Newswire 20 July 2015. Student Resources in Context. Web. 3 Feb. 2016."

"In Memoriam: Welles R. Crowther." Voices of September 11th. Connecticut Head Quarters, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016."

"Emotions High As 9/11 Museum Begins To Open." All Things Considered 15 May 2014. Research in Context. Web. 3 Feb. 2016."