Sydney Sims news article in last weeks Villager about the heroic actions of Kounte Threadgill during a tragic home fire touched me in many ways.

Im sure you felt the same, too.

The kind of mature bravery 13-year-old Kounte showed as he saved the lives of his four younger siblings, aged 6 to 3 months, would have won him a Medal of Honor on the battlefield.

Heroes, like Kounte, rise to the occasion regardless of the danger it presents to their own lives.

With clear thinking and determination as the house fire grew larger, Kounte swung into action, showing that love and courage, when combined together, are always stronger than fear and paralysis.

Kounte ran through the flames with one thought in mind: getting everyone out at all costs.

Rescue stories like Kountes help restore our faith in humanity. And his actions demonstrate that personal responsibility to care for and to look after one other, regardless of circumstances, are powerful examples of good human behavior.

I am convinced this brave young boy would have shown the same courage in rescuing you or me strangers he doesnt even know.

If Auburn hasnt done so yet, I hope the community will honor Kounte in some very meaningful way to show appreciation, respect and awe for his bravery. I would love to shake his hand and give him a big pat on the back one day.

Its heart-warming and wonderful how the Auburn community reached out to help the Threadgill family after the fire. Local residents and organizations showed the true spirit of caring by assisting this family in their most urgent and critical hour of need.

Kounte represents the very best of humankind all of us. Auburn should be very thankful and proud this brave lad is one of them.

As I typed the word handshake a light flashed in my head. Why a handshake for Kounte and not a big hug? First off, theres something very peaceful and personal in a handshake.

Covid-19s traveling road show of fear and isolation chased away one of our most human joys: our ability to be together, shake hands and socialize.

This gesture demonstrates friendliness and respect. Its not something we are conscious of. Our hands just pop out.

To me, the handshake and the hug are genuine signs of peace and contentment in our lives. Just about all arguments, disagreements or even fights usually end with a handshake.

A ceremony to honor someone of courage like Kounte would conclude with handshakes and hugs all around, putting to work these very human symbols of friendship and respect.

Me being me, I dug a little deeper into the background of the handshake, I learned the custom seems to have started in the 5th century in Greece as a symbol of peace.

Like today, just about all arguments and fights back then ended in a handshake.

Other researchers, though, trace the handshake to Medieval Europe, where knights in armor shook hands with opponents to shake lose any hidden weapons. Perhaps that is where our word shakedown comes from.

Whatever the history of the handshake, I would very much like to shake Kountes hand and tell him hes a hero of the first order and an exceptional lad, truly someone special whose courage and devotion we all greatly admire.

I look forward to saying, Heres my hand, Kounte.

Ralph Morris is a retired newspaperman who lives near Auburn. His email is r.morris@ctvea.net.

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A very brave hero saves the day | Opinion | auburnvillager.com - Auburn Villager