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THE MAN IN THE RED BANDANA: UNLIKELY AS IT SOUNDS, A LESSON FOR GOOD FRIDAY CAME FROM SEPTEMBER 11

During Holy Week, as we head for the Passion, one may think of those who like Christ gave themselves for others; before their own "passion" they were known for  compassion.

One who comes to mind, unlikely as it may at first sound, is a 24-year-old equities broker named Welles Crowther, who always carried a "good-luck" red bandana with him in his pocket (it was from childhood) and worked in the World Trade Center, though he was actively toying with the idea of quitting his high-paying desk job at Sandler O'Neill and Partners to work as a fireman. A graduate of Boston College, he was from Rockland County, where he'd been a volunteer fireman; a kind and generous spirit.

Young guy. Always cheerful. Full of life. Everything going for him. In the days leading up to 9/11, though, he was suddenly sullen, anxious, quiet. As we recently noted, many, before 9/11, sensed their deaths.

Others who worked with Welles made it to safety that fateful day.

Welles did not.

He was too busy.

A friend asking God how Crowther had died started getting information from the newspapers, including The New York Times, which, in depicting what had occurred on the 78th floor sky lobby of the South Tower, said:

"A mysterious man appeared at one point, his mouth and nose covered with a red handkerchief. He was looking for a fire extinguisher and pointed to the stairs and made an announcement that saved lives: 'Anyone who can walk, get up and walk now. Anyone who can perhaps help others, find someone who needs help and then head down.' Another survivor said she too had been steered by the man in the red bandana, hearing him call out, 'This way to the stairs.' She soon noticed that he was carrying a woman on his back. Once they reached clearer air, he put her down and went back up."

Soon, never to return.

Friends who read this account knew immediately who it was.

"People can live a hundred years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did," a woman named Judy Wein who he saved told newsmen.

A lesson for Holy Week and especially, in particular, Good Friday.

When Welles' body was finally found, the following March, his remains -- and bandana -- were located next to those of firefighters and other rescuers. After his death, many received little comforts and dreams and signs related to Welles.

And five years after the attack, the NYFD awarded Crowther a special commendation, entitled, "The Man in the Red Bandana," which inducted him as an honorary fire fighter for his courage and bravery while aiding trapped victims and noting that "His heroic efforts saved at least five lives."

"Welles sacrificed his own life," said the commendation, "to save others."

No greater love. His bandana is enshrined at the September 11 memorial.

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