Man in the Red Bandana

The story of “The Man in the Red Bandana” is not what everyone’s first thought is when they think of the word hero. In a way, Wells can be compared to Ignatius, he wanted something, and seized it, he made a difference in people’s lives, and he is still remembered and honored by the people he has touched.

Wells, wanting to be a firefighter, enrolled as a cadet in the New York Fire Department. After graduating college, he got a desk job but it was not quite what he wanted to do. During the attack, Wells used his firefighter training to escort around twelve people to safety. He did not stop at the first few people, he kept trying to help as many as he could. He was fulfilling his dream. He can be compared to Ignatius in this way because Ignatius was a soldier at first. After Pamplona and being out of commission, he found out what he actually wanted to do, become the best saint there was. He established Los Compañeros de Jesus. Both Ignatius and Wells followed their dream.

The way Ignatius impacted peoples lives is different from the way Wells did it, but having an impact on someones life is a positive thing no matter how it is done. Ignatius showed people that God can be found in a ones experiences. On another note, Wells saved lives during a time of need. He did not give up. Those people have him to thank for being where they are today.

Today, 521 years since Ignatius was born, and 11 years since September 11, everyone remembers these two individuals who changed peoples lives for the best. We have Ignatius, Basque saint whose goal was to help save souls and we have Wells, lacrosse player, business men, and firefighter, a hero who gave his life to help others no matter the circumstances.