Congressman Mike Lawler joined the family of 9/11 hero Welles Remy Crowther in Washington on Tuesday as President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Crowther the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Crowther, an Upper Nyack native and volunteer firefighter who became known as the “Man in the Red Bandana,” was honored during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The White House said the event brought together first responders, families and officials to honor those who ran toward danger during the attacks.

Crowther was a 24-year-old equities trader working in the South Tower of the World Trade Center when it was struck on September 11, 2001. Wearing his trademark red bandana to protect himself from smoke, Crowther helped lead survivors from the 78th-floor sky lobby to safety and repeatedly returned upstairs to assist others before losing his life when the tower collapsed. Survivors later credited him with helping save numerous lives.

“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,” Lawler said following the ceremony. “Wearing his trademark red bandana, he saved upwards of 18 lives that day and inspired millions of Americans with his courage.”

“Twenty-five years later, Welles is receiving the recognition he justly deserves,” Lawler added, thanking President Trump for honoring Crowther and his family, particularly his mother, Alison Crowther.

Lawler has pushed for national recognition of Crowther’s heroism. In September 2025, he joined Alison Crowther, local firefighters and Rockland County officials at the Nyack Fire Department to call for Crowther to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A day earlier, Lawler presented President Trump with a red bandana from the Crowther family during a Yankees game marking the 24th anniversary of 9/11.

President Trump announced during a May 2026 visit to Rockland County that Crowther would receive the honor.

“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,” Lawler said. “Welles showed us what it means to put others before yourself. What a legacy worth remembering, and one America will never forget.”

IMG_4125