Trump posthumously awards Medal of Freedom to 9/11 hero Welles Crowther

President Trump posthumously awarded to Welles Crowther, an equities trader and volunteer firefighter who died working to save lives on 9/11, the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Trump presented the honor to Crowther's mother and sister during the Steel Across America event commemorating the anniversary of the attacks at the Ellipse near the White House. 'This means the world to me, my daughters, Paige and Honor, and our entire family. This will be treasured for generations to come,' said Crowther's mother, Allison, speaking at the event. Crowther, 24, was working in the South Tower at the World Trade Center and helped usher people to safety before he was killed when the tower collapsed. His family has since established the Red Bandana Project, which is a social and emotional learning curriculum. Tuesday's event featured a 16,900-pound steel beam that was recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan following the attacks. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation brought it to the White House. Trump is slated to mark the 25th anniversary on Friday at the Pentagon, where he will deliver remarks. Vice President Vance will travel to Ground Zero in New York City for a memorial service where he will join former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.