THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040316
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 47 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH
LENGTH: 74 lines
FOR MICHAEL JORDAN, being a hero could mean a new multimillion-dollar contract.
For Ken Griffey Jr., it may mean a big-time shoe contract and lots of TV commercials.
But for 8-year-old Robbie Harris of Kitty Hawk, being a hero means pleasures as simple as ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and lemonade.
Robbie, a student at Kitty Hawk Elementary School, was one of 18 North Carolinians recently honored in Raleigh by Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. for bravery and heroism.
On July 26, 1995, Robbie was shooting baskets on a nearby side street when he noticed smoke coming from a next-door neighbor's house.
``I ran up the steps and opened the door and told Dan (Byers), that their house was on fire. Then I ran to my house and called 911,'' Robbie said, recalling his brave act.
As he left the Byers' porch, Robbie took an unconventional route.
``He slid down the banister and tore his pants,'' his mother, Cindy Harris, recalled. ``He figured he'd slide down one more time because, if the house burned, he wouldn't get another chance.''
Once he got to his home, Robbie, the son of North Carolina State Trooper Dana Harris, notified emergency personnel about the fire.
``I started to call 911. And my mom asked me what I was doing,'' Robbie remembered last week from his Kitty Hawk home. ``When I told her the neighbor's house was on fire, she asked my dad to look outside. He saw the fire and said, `Call 911. NOW!'''
Local firefighters responded quickly. But the Byers' home was well-involved in flames. The fire started on a lower floor of the two-story home. Hours before, the home had been filled with children celebrating young Erin Byers' birthday in this quiet north beach neighborhood.
The Byers family has since relocated to Virginia.
Robbie's family members say all of the attention hasn't changed the young hero, who has spent his vacation taking swim lessons, playing baseball and going to summer school. And in the past month, he's even taken on a new responsibility: Mowing the grass.
``He hasn't changed,'' said Juanita Curlings, Robbie's great-aunt. ``He's still a live wire.''
``Being 8 years old, he wonders why people are still making a big deal about it,'' Cindy Harris said. ``Right after it happened, he was riding high because of all the attention. I really don't think he believes he's done anything that great.''
Robbie, the youngest of the 18 honorees in Raleigh, was joined by Dare County Sheriff's Deputy Walter Kevin Duprey in receiving his award from the governor. Duprey entered the rough surf off Hatteras Island with a boogie board on Aug. 30, 1995. After a 20-minute struggle, Duprey managed to rescue a 39-year-old vacationer from the seething surf.
Robbie Harris has some unique memories of his first trip to the executive mansion.
``They had a sign that said, `Don't touch the gate,' '' Robbie recalled. ``I sat next to the governor.''
As he thumbed through a packet of photos of his special day, Robbie pointed to one particular print. In the picture, Hunt is kneeling next to the young lifesaver. ``That's me,'' Robbie said. ``I'm blushing.''
Robbie received a state certificate in recognition of his bravery. But asked about his biggest memory of the day, he responded simply: ``Ice cream.''
The youngester gave Hunt only one piece of information on his visit to the mansion. He told the governor, ``911 works.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Dare County Sheriff's Deputy Walter Kevin Duprey was honored by Hunt
for saving a vacationer from rough surf off Hatteras Island.
Robbie Harris, 8, a student at Kitty Hawk Elementary School, was one
of 18 North Carolinians recently honored in Raleigh Gov. James B.
Hunt Jr. Robbie received a state certificate in recognition of his
bravery. by CNB