In a world obsessed with fake heroes, Welles Crowther shows us what real manhood looks like.
Every September, as the nation remembers 9/11, I find myself drawn to "The Man in the Red Bandana." It's not just a video; it's a gut punch, a wake-up call, and a master class in what it means to be a Biblical man.
Let's break this down:
1. Welles Crowther wasn't a politician or a celebrity.
He was a 24-year-old equities trader.
A former lacrosse player from Boston College.
Just a regular guy with an irregular heart.
2. When the South Tower was hit, Welles had a choice:
- Run for safety
- Or run towards danger
He chose danger. Why? Because that's what real men do.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, KJV)
3. Welles didn't just save one person. He saved nearly 20.
Multiple trips up and down the burning tower.
Carrying people on his back.
Leading others to safety.
All while the building was collapsing around him.
4. His tool? A red bandana his father gave him.
It wasn't a cape or a high-tech gadget.
Just a simple piece of cloth that became his signature.
Survivors remembered "the man in the red bandana" when they couldn't see his face.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, KJV)
5. Welles didn't make it out alive.
His body was found months later with his red bandana.
But his legacy? It's eternal.
Here's why this matters to us, men:
A. Our culture is starved for real heroes.
Not the ones on TV or in politics.
But men who act when action is needed.
Men who sacrifice without expecting reward.
B. Welles shows us what true masculinity looks like:
- It's not about muscles or money.
- It's about courage and character.
- It's about putting others before yourself.
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9, KJV)
C. In a world that's trying to redefine manhood:
- Welles reminds us of timeless truths.
- Real men protect the vulnerable.
- Real men run towards danger, not away from it.
- Real men leave a legacy bigger than themselves.
D. The red bandana wasn't magic.
It was a symbol of the man wearing it.
What's your red bandana?
What will people remember you for?
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25, KJV)
Here's the challenge:
1. Watch "The Man in the Red Bandana".
2. Ask yourself: What would I have done in that tower?
3. Find your own "red bandana" - your signature way to serve others.
4. Live each day ready to be the hero someone needs.
Remember, men: Political debates come and go. But the impact of one man's courage can echo for generations.
Be that man. Be like Welles. Be the hero this world desperately needs.
The Red Bandana