On September 11th 2001, a man with a red bandana made his way up and down the South Tower of the World Trade Center three times, helping at least 18 people get out of the building.
His name was Welles Remy Crowther (pictured left), a 24-year-old equities trader for Sandler O’Neill and Partner on the 104th floor. Like his dad, he was a volunteer fireman and he dreamed of one day joining the fire department.
Welles’ body was recovered on March 19, 2002 on the ground floor lobby, right beside the FDNY’s control center. His last contact with his parents was a voicemail he left for his mother, “Mom, this is Welles. I want you to know that I’m ok.”
His parents, Alison and Jefferson Crowther, came to StoryCorps to remember their son.
Originally aired July 25, 2005 on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show.