Rocklander Welles Remy Crowther Recognized for Bravery with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Congressman Mike Lawler, as well as Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann and Senator Bill Weber attended a White House event on September 8th hosted by President Donald J. Trump for 9/11 first responders and officials, where President Trump posthumously presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the family of Welles Remy Crowther, an Upper Nyack native and volunteer firefighter known as the “Man in the Red Bandana.”

“On September 11, 2001, when terror struck our nation, Welles Remy Crowther did what he was raised to do: he ran toward danger and answered the call. Wearing his trademark red bandana, he saved upwards of 18 lives that day and inspired millions of Americans with his courage. 25 years later, Welles is receiving the recognition he justly deserves. I am extremely grateful to President Trump for honoring Welles and the Crowther family, especially his mother Alison,” said Congressman Lawler.

“By bestowing the highest civilian honor on Welles Remy Crowther, we also honor every firefighter, police officer, EMT, and first responder who ran toward danger that day to save lives. Many never came home, and thousands more have lived with the physical and emotional consequences of their service ever since. Welles showed us what it means to put others before yourself. What a legacy worth remembering, and one America will never forget,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

Welles Remy Crowther, a 24-year-old equities trader and volunteer firefighter from Upper Nyack, helped lead survivors to safety from the South Tower’s 78th-floor sky lobby after it was struck on September 11th. Using his trademark red bandana to protect himself from the smoke, he repeatedly returned to help others before losing his life when the tower collapsed. Survivors later credited him with helping save upwards of 18 lives.