Remembering the 9/11 Attacks: A Presidential Honor

President Donald Trump reflected on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as the 25th anniversary approaches. On Tuesday, he awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, a hero who saved 18 lives during the attacks in the South Tower.

The ceremony took place at the Ellipse, hosted by the president alongside Tunnel to Towers, where they honored the 2,977 individuals who lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and on United Airlines Flight 93.

“On 9/11, nearly 3,000 precious souls were stolen from us, killed by evil terrorists at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93,” Trump stated. He noted that even after all these years, “we gather on another Tuesday morning in September to reaffirm the sacred vow we made a quarter of a century ago: We will never forget.”

At the event, a massive 16,000-pound beam from the South Tower, which measures 21 feet in length, was displayed. This beam has been part of a traveling exhibition prior to the memorial in the nation’s capital.

Trump continued, “The 16,000-pound beam lifted from the ruins of the South Tower will forever testify to the courage, resilience, and spirit of a city and a nation that saw our homeland struck, our towers knocked down, and stood back up stronger, more determined, and more united than ever before.”

As the ceremony approached its conclusion, Crowther’s mother and sister were presented with his Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president recounted Crowther’s heroic role in rescuing others from the South Tower.

Crowther, who worked as an equities trader and volunteered as a firefighter, discovered a surviving staircase from the 104th floor. He guided several groups of people down from the 78th floor, ultimately saving 18 lives before the tower collapsed.

“He willingly made all of these trips up and down, saving life after life… Welles saved many people before losing his own life in the South Tower lobby when the building came down,” Trump remarked.

“Today, in honor of his incredible bravery, and all the other countless unknown acts of heroism that day, it is my privilege to award the highest civilian honor—the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” he added.

Crowther’s mother, Alison, expressed gratitude to Trump for the significant honor. She reflected on how “Welles’s light still shines brilliantly today, even after 25 years, is testament to his legacy of courage, compassion, and love for humanity that continues to inspire others.”

She also noted that Welles’s actions on that fateful day were greatly influenced by his training with Empire Hook and Ladder Company #1, a volunteer fire department where he had gained valuable experience.