| This past Saturday, Ladder 41 would make the trip over the Hudson to Nyack (Rockland County) for a coverage detail. The members of Nyack FD and other area departments were attending the Annual “Red Bandanna Game” in memory of a young fallen hero, on this year’s 25th Anniversary of one of the worst days in our history.
Many have heard the story, and at the same time many have not. Septemer 11th, 2001 is filled with many stories of bravery, heroism, humility, dedication, and patriotism. Perfect strangers would become others heroes, some never even knowing their names. The Man in the Red Bandanna would be one of them, his name was Welles Crowther. As he worked on the upper floors of the South Tower (Tower 2), the events of that morning would bring out the best in so many, he was one of them. When the planes struck the buildings, his training as a Volunteer with Nyack’s Empire Hook & Ladder Company and his trusty Red Bandanna would save lives.
He would assist survivors from the trade centers tower to safety down one of its only accessible and safe stairwells. He did so with the use of his signature and trusty red bandanna covering his face to avoid breathing in the smoke and other particulates from the attack. He would make multiple trips up and down the many floors from the 78th, only having the safety and the assisting of others in his focus. Sadly, after all he had done, he inevitability lost his life that day. He was found in 2002, reportedly surrounded by members of the FDNY.
We will be sharing a video explaining more about this story in our next post. The significance of this is that Ladder 41 and its crew would be covering for both of Nyack’s ladder companies as they attended Nyack High School’s Annual Red Bandanna Lacrosse Game that evening. This along with a memorial Football Game in the Fall is a continuous reminder of this 24 year old’s sacrifice 25 years ago this year. As a Boston College Lacrosse player, there is also a memorial Red Bandanna Game held there as well.
We thank the members of Nyack, specifically “10-98” for their hospitality, luckily there were no requests for service. The countless local stories and connections of these displays of sacrifices sadly are not always present with us day to day. But simply being able to let the brothers and sisters of Welles take the little time they can to honor & remember him, is the least we can do.
As we continue 2026, try and make the time to remember and reflect on the events 25 years ago this coming September. The many that still to this day feel the affects of this tragic day, and continue to as so many still suffer from many 9/11 related illnesses.
Never Forget, especially The Man in the Red Bandanna |
