Welles Remy Crowther: The man in the red bandanna

His name was Welles Remy Crowther (1977-2001), who worked for a financial firm at the World Trade Center on that fateful day … September 11, 2001, when America was attacked by militant evildoers.

Welles was from New York and was a graduate of Boston College, Class of 1999, and who played hockey and lacrosse as a student-athlete wearing No. 19 on his jersey.

Welles always wanted to be a fireman, and when just a small boy his grandparents gave him one Christmas a “blazing red ride-on fire truck.”

Being of the Christian faith, he was always concerned for and wanted to help others. Thus, even in his teens he served as a volunteer fireman with his hometown fire department. He wanted to help others.

As a young man, his father gave him a red bandanna was his “trademark.”

He even wore one under his helmet when playing sports. He wore or carried a red bandanna as a symbol of strength, courage and service.

When the South Tower of the World Trade Center was enflamed and about to crumble, this young man of 24 who worked on one of the upper floors went into his fireman’s mode and began helping others to evacuate the building.

He led and carried people down many flights of stairs, carrying one woman on his shoulders down 17 flights and then went back up the stairs to help others down to safety.

The ones he helped did not know his name, but they saw that he wore a red bandanna around his neck. After several of the survivors were interviewed and research was made, Welles Remy was identified as “the man in the red bandanna.”

Welles lost his earthly life on that day, and later his body was recovered at ground zero in March 2002, months after 9-11.

Two of the employees he saved that day initiated a charitable trust to “grant scholarships to Nyak (his hometown in New York) students who embodied Welles’ values.”

And in 2014, Boston College began the first “Red Bandanna Game” during their football season. This tribute to Welles continues every football season at Boston College at a home game where thousands of red bandannas are displayed and waved by students and fans in honor of and in memory of this heroic graduate.

What a sight to witness!

In conclusion, the Bible teaches living for and serving others. Jesus was the greatest example of serving and sacrificing His life for others. His words are for us today: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Peace!

To read this full story, I recommend the book “The Red Bandanna” by Tom Rinaldi.