Everybody does love Harold

Local author and pilot Mike Kincaid wrote about this hero's life in a book called "One Came Home." But Mike's wife, Jill, might have described 91-year-old Harold Kiel of Hayden best.

"He's the most upbeat, amazing man," she said. "Everybody loves Harold."

This Saturday, you and about 29,999 other citizens can meet Harold for yourselves. He'll be grinning and waving from his seat as Grand Marshal of Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade, and don't be surprised if a tear or two slides down this humble man's cheeks.

During an interview with Press reporter Keith Cousins, Harold's voice cracked and he fought back tears when he was asked to describe what Independence Day means to him. "It's really great to be an American," he managed, "but it's really hard to explain just how much it means."

Harold Kiel knows what it means, even if he has some trouble enunciating it. He earned the grand marshal honor and so much more by serving in the Navy during World War II. One of his most difficult jobs: Battling to rescue victims of kamikaze attacks.

As Kincaid discovered, Harold kept diaries - five in all - of his time in the service. The gut-wrenching, heart-ripping details of that service make up the soul of Kincaid's book.

Please join us in saluting Harold Kiel as he accepts his place in this year's Independence Day parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Enduring a little heat is a small price to pay for this annual privilege - an opportunity made possible by the valor of Harold and his brethren.