Eternal Love, is the story of a peace-loving young man who found himself face to face with war, duty and country. It's about the transition from boyhood to manhood amid death, war and destruction. It's a book about a man who struggles to balance love, self restraint and his will to survive.
Eternal Love, is also a book about the sweetness, the wonder, the happiness and the beauty of true love. It details just how love helped Harold Loch overcome the many ugly remnants and by-products of what we call war (or police action).
Eternal Love chronicles the early life of my friend and cousin Harold "Dick" Loch, a young man selected and trained to serve his country as a military assassin.
Regardless of their country of origin, not all soldiers are fortunate enough to have someone to count on; someone who loves them and is waiting for their safe return. I have known soldiers who have put guns to their heads over a "Dear John" letter! The importance of having someone to come home to, someone who understands, who can comfort and love you, cannot be over stated. Love can -- and DOES -- conquer war! If you don't believe it now, you will after reading Eternal Love! This book is as much about love and faith, as it is about war and death.In war, everyone becomes a victim of one kind or another. No one escapes unscathed! For both the "quick and the dead," lives are forever changed. Some soldiers die quickly, while other soldiers lose life a piece at a time. It happens in many different ways, over a few days, weeks, or even years. My cousin, Harold "Dick" Loch is still valiantly fighting to survive! This is a story written by a man who has a need to purge the demons of his past and heal old wounds, in order to find peace of mind - and forgiveness - in the present.
It was only a few years ago that I learned about Dick's unique story. Prior to that, I knew only that he'd spent some time in Korea. Now, each time I read Eternal Love I do so with teary-eyed emotion. Knowing Dick prior to his military experiences, before he boar the mantle of "assassin," dramatically heightens the impact of this book.Dick and I were born seven years apart. As a boy he was polite, respectful, kind and rather quiet. He might be called the ideal 50's kind of youngster. During his high school years, Dick was the All-American type. I always thought of him as my "big cousin!" I have memories of riding on the handle-bars of his bike, of him showing me how to throw a football and buying me lots of Nabisco sugar-wafer cookies! I also recall my Aunt Dorothy Loch being very protective and concerned for her son's safety. Then Dick received his official military "Greetings" and life became more complex.
Eternal Love is Dick's pet project, one for which he has deep emotional attachment. Dick refused to allow potential publishers to change the original manuscript in any way, believing any transformation might alter the book's authenticity.Eternal Love was privately published in order to preserve Dick's original words and emotions. It is an ugly story, a beautiful story, a sad story, an uplifting story. It is a book you'll be compelled to read cover to cover, in one sitting. It is an easy but powerful read.
Eternal Love. I hope it moves you as it did me. After you've read the book, please email your thoughts. Thanks -- Woody Hansen.
