The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy

by Tom Rinaldi

"What would you do in the last hour of your life?

(The story of Welles Crowther, whose actions on 9/11 offer a lasting lesson on character, calling and courage.)

One Sunday morning before church, when Welles Crowther was a young boy, his father gave him a red handkerchief for his back pocket. Welles kept it with him that day, and just about every day to come; it became a fixture and his signature.

Tom Rinaldi's The Red Bandanna is about a fearless choice, about a crucible of terror and the indomitable spirit to answer it. Examining one decision in the gravest situation, it celebrates the difference one life can make."

This is a Young Adult non-fiction book about a young man during 9/11 in New York when the World Trade Towers fell in a terrorist attack.  

This was an emotional read for me. I spent my childhood summers in New York with my younger sister at our Grandparents' home on Long Island. I have many family memories of NYC, Manhattan and the World Trade Towers, having eaten at Windows on the World with my family on numerous occasions.

September 11, 2001 is branded upon my memory. I have a deep, visceral reaction to the images from that day.  I remember worrying about my NYC family until I finally heard my Uncle and Cousin had safely walked out of the city.  I can barely control my emotions when I see the World Trade Towers in pre-911 films and images. It is even harder to hold back tears when I see them missing from the skyline in post-911 films and images. This book was adapted for Young Adult and mature Junior readers and is the first *anything* I have deliberately approached regarding 911. This young man, Welles Crowther, his character and courage. His family.  His dream to join the fire department.  His choice to become a "helper" on that day, helping people down the stairs to safety.  The personal impressions of him from the people he helped to safety that day.  I cannot help but feel that 911 was his destiny for achieving the ultimate in service and sacrifice.

If people were a little more like Welles Remy Crowther, the world would certainly be a better place.

Heidi Y.