“Gum On Shoe” 9/11
**** Gum on Shoe Podcast Episode 2, will be released on Sept 19th, 20th and 21st ?****
?I believe everyone has heard the story of Welles Remy Crowther. Welles worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower as an equity’s trader with Sandler O’Neill & Partners. It was discovered that he saved many people on September 11th, which tragically caused his death. Welles heroics became known eight months after 9/11, as a result of an ordinary item -?a red bandana.
?Eyewitnesses reported that, after the plane had hit into the Sky Lobby, a man suddenly appeared “out of nowhere”. He was stripped to his T-shirt and wearing a red bandanna to cover his nose and mouth, protection against the smoke and debris. This man organized a rescue effort on the floors high above where the official rescue workers were able to reach. He called for fire extinguishers, he found and directed dazed and confused victims to the only stairwell that was open for escape, and he carried a woman down to the 61st floor, then returned to the 78th floor to rescue more people. He turned back up once again after bringing the second group of survivors down.
?The Crowther Family ultimately learned, almost 3 years later, that Welles and the members of FDNY with whom he was recovered, had been on their way back up the South Tower with a Hearst “jaws of life” tool to free victims who were trapped under debris, presumably in the Sky Lobby.
?The story was shocking because it went against popular earthly wisdom. You can always tell a culture’s “wisdom” by the sayings it celebrates, like the celebrity quotes that get posted on social media. “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams,” one popular quote reads. “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line,” says another. “Do what you have to do, for you,” states a third. Had Welles followed such advice, he’d have put himself first and escape.
The days after 9/11 were filled with proud Americans, flying flags, standing united and having compassion to our neighbors. I was in a movie theater that Friday evening and while the credits were rolling, everyone stood up to sing the national anthem. I don’t know who started it, but it just happened. That November I was in New York City paying a visit, and my respects to ground zero. While heading over, a group of street performers where doing a show, when the police came over to break it up, instead of the crowd booing the officers, which would happen most times. Not one person said a word and dispersed without any comic relief or Bronx cheer.
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I will never forget!
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