As we remember today ....
The Red Bandanna
Book by Tom Rinaldi
One Sunday morning before church, when Welles Crowther was a young boy,
his father gave him a red handkerchief for his back pocket. Welles kept
it with him that day, and just about every day to come; it became a
fixture and his signature.
A standout athlete growing up in Upper Nyack, NY, Welles was also a volunteer at the local fire department, along with his father. He cherished the necessity and the camaraderie, the meaning of the role. Fresh from college, he took a Wall Street job on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, but the dream of becoming a firefighter with the FDNY remained.
When the Twin Towers fell, Welles’s parents had no idea what happened to him. In the unbearable days that followed, they came to accept that he would never come home. But the mystery of his final hours persisted. Eight months after the attacks, however, Welles’s mother read a news account from several survivors, badly hurt on the 78th floor of the South Tower, who said they and others had been led to safety by a stranger, carrying a woman on his back, down nearly twenty flights of stairs. After leading them down, the young man turned around. “I’m going back up,” was all he said.
The survivors didn’t know his name, but despite the smoke and panic, one of them remembered a single detail clearly: the man was wearing a red bandanna.
Tom Rinaldi’s The Red Bandanna is about a fearless choice, about a crucible of terror and the indomitable spirit to answer it. Examining one decision in the gravest situation, it celebrates the difference one life can make.
A standout athlete growing up in Upper Nyack, NY, Welles was also a volunteer at the local fire department, along with his father. He cherished the necessity and the camaraderie, the meaning of the role. Fresh from college, he took a Wall Street job on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center, but the dream of becoming a firefighter with the FDNY remained.
When the Twin Towers fell, Welles’s parents had no idea what happened to him. In the unbearable days that followed, they came to accept that he would never come home. But the mystery of his final hours persisted. Eight months after the attacks, however, Welles’s mother read a news account from several survivors, badly hurt on the 78th floor of the South Tower, who said they and others had been led to safety by a stranger, carrying a woman on his back, down nearly twenty flights of stairs. After leading them down, the young man turned around. “I’m going back up,” was all he said.
The survivors didn’t know his name, but despite the smoke and panic, one of them remembered a single detail clearly: the man was wearing a red bandanna.
Tom Rinaldi’s The Red Bandanna is about a fearless choice, about a crucible of terror and the indomitable spirit to answer it. Examining one decision in the gravest situation, it celebrates the difference one life can make.
Can you imagine what closure that gave his parents knowing that he had died a hero? Pretty sure God had a hand in letting them know that. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThis literally made the hairs on my arms and he back of my neck stand up, and tears in my eyes. Wonderous, heartbreakingly sad...what else can I say.
ReplyDeleteWow, that book gives me chill's. I think I need to read it. I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I had not heard this story. No greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend...and even a stranger.
ReplyDeleteHow sad but a great testimony to the brave on that horrific day.
ReplyDeleteJane
I remember driving to work that morning and hearing horrified reports on the news as it was happening. There were so many brave people that day, I think it is one event in history we will all remember.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story from such a tragic day. He did become a first responder that day for sure. So touching and what a wonderful closure for his family. Human kindness and love came through with so many people that day.
ReplyDeleteKris
What a hero. I need to read this book.
ReplyDeleteA true hero for sure...and so wonderful that his parents were able to find out about his bravery. What a lovely legacy he left behind on such a truly terrible day.
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