White House leads 9/11 tribute with first responders, military members, Gold Star families

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to an equities trader and volunteer firefighter who died rescuing people trapped in the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Trump presented the honor to the family of Welles Crowther during an emotional tribute on the White House Ellipse to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which is Friday.

“All of these years later we gather to reaffirm the sacred vow we made. We will never forget those we lost and the immortal heroes of Sept. 11, 2001,” Trump told a crowd of about 300 people, which included first responders from New York City and Washington, D.C., alongside uniformed military members and Gold Star families.

“No matter the fight or challenge America will endure and prevail,” Trump said at the hourlong ceremony.

The private ceremony, which was live streamed on social media, was dedicated to the first responders who died rescuing people trapped and injured in the twin towers.

A 21-foot, 16,900-pound steel beam from the World Trade Center's south tower is displayed during a Steel Across America event on Sept. 8, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Crowther, 24, a volunteer firefighter with the Empire Hook & Ladder of Nyack, N.Y., is credited with saving at least 18 people from the 78th floor of the south tower by helping them down the only functioning stairwell. He made repeated round trips to help people exit the building.

Crowther was in the South Tower lobby when the building collapsed, according to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. He was remembered as “the man in the red bandana,” for the scarf he wore to shield smoke from his face.

Trump also announced during the ceremony that the Coast Guard will commission a new fast-response cutter in memory of New York City firefighter and Coast Guard reservist Jeffrey Palazzo — one of 343 firefighters killed on 9/11.

“Before September 11, he had already saved many lives. [He] and the other members of Rescue Squad 5 died at the World Trade Center while fighting to rescue fellow New Yorkers,” Trump said.

The president delivered his remarks alongside Frank Siller, chairman of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and brother of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died trying to reach 9/11 victims.

The White House event featured a large steel beam salvaged from the ruins of the twin towers and displayed on the Ellipse.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is the sponsor of the Steel Across America Tour, an interactive, traveling display featuring the 17,000-pound beam and other artifacts. 

The multistate tour travels next to the World Trade Center site for a ceremony on Friday marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Vice President JD Vance and other dignitaries are scheduled to attend that event. Trump will attend a 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon.

Soldiers salute during the national anthem at a Steel Across America event on Sept. 8, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A major focus of the foundation is to develop and provide housing for first responders, including veteran villages. The villages function as small communities for veterans with on-site medical care, job counseling and help with benefits.

The foundation currently operates villages in Houston and Atlanta, while supporting veteran housing programs in Riverside and West Los Angeles, Calif., and Austin, Texas. 

It plans to open additional villages this year in Memphis, Tenn., Detroit, Denver and Harrisburg, Pa.

Bank of America on Tuesday pledged $250,000 to help fund the projects. The foundation primarily relies on major corporate sponsors for support. 

“Bank of America’s support for our veteran villages will change the lives of veterans who have struggled after returning home, providing them with a safe place to live and the support they need,” Frank Siller said in a statement.