Photographer/author helping honor the past

Apr. 7—Editor's note: This article was originally printed in "Introductions," the Tribune's annual progress edition, on March 28.

Mark Romano is among those who realize it's not wise to allow those who came before us to exit into history without acknowledging them.

Over the past several years, Romano — a Cowen-based photographer and author — has crafted a series of books chronicling letters and interactions between two World War II soldiers and their families, girlfriends and others. The first book of the series was entitled "One Lives One Dies." The series received its genesis when Romano was given "a box of dusty old letters found in a corn crib," he said in the past.

Along the way, partly as a means to finance the film he wants to make to help bring the books to life, Romano has embarked on a series of county historical photo books. The first offering along those lines, "A Pictorial History of Mercer County," was published recently and is currently available for purchase at several Mercer County locations. The two planned pictorials next up will cover Webster and Greenbrier counties.

From the three pictorial books, Romano says his aim is to generate some of the necessary funding for a movie planned based on "One Lives One Dies."

In the first book based on the correspondence, eight of the nine soldiers from the Landisburg/Danese community that were killed in action during World War II and the beginning of the Korean War, were related, Romano said.

"One Lives One Dies" features 33 chapters. "These two solders (Junior Smith and Bud Webb) write home to their loved ones and they talk about people they meet along the way.

"We go into details of about 15 other soldiers (most West Virginians, but also hailing from other states). They all have their own characteristics."

Their stories are told through actual journals, letters, interviews and photographs.

The first book was published in February 2022 on Amazon.

Hershel "Woody" Williams, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient for his service with the United States Marine Corps, provided a testimonial for the book. It read as follows: "This book is down-to-earth reading on real life. It will recall many memories of those living in the times of great anxiety of hardship. To those never experiencing war and sacrifice, the book will give a sense of the real meaning of freedom and loyalty to America. It is easy reading and easy to understand, as well as historical. I recommend it and encourage its reading."

A chapter of the book is also dedicated to recollections from Williams on his military career.

"This would make a great TV series, sort of like M*A*S*H*," Romano said.

The second book in this series was titled "One Loves." One of the subjects, Goldie Webb, turned 100 right before the book was published, and she passed away the next week, Romano explained. "She was able to see the book based on her and her fiancé at the time, Bud (Webb)," he said.

"Goldie is really the heart of the story, but it's really between these two men," Romano said. "She played music, she was in a band, she painted, she worked at the clothespin factory, she interviewed a lot of veterans, she worked with Jim Comstock. She (had) a great personality."

In a brief 2019 interview, Goldie Webb said it was important to write letters back and forth when Bud was away serving his country. "I tried to write real often, and he did, too," she said. She called the correspondence "very important," noting that "I could keep up with him that way."

The letters were "all special," she said, particularly the one "where he said he was coming home."

"He was kind of shy to start with, but his personality was what I liked,"" she added of her husband-to-be. "And he looked pretty good, too."

It is important to "give these people the recognition that will be forgotten if we're not able to get it out there," Romano said.

The third book in the military series is uploaded and will be available to purchase on Amazon on March 29. It is called "One Writes" and is the story of Helen Barnette, who wrote in a journal in 1938 and then would later be a Rosie the Riveter during the war, said Romano. "It sort of tells us what the country was like before the war, and then she would become a Rosie the Riveter."

In the second part of that book are letters written by Hersel Holbrook during the war, he added. Holbrook was Barnette's "on-again, off-again boyfriend, and they actually got married after the war," said Romano. "So, it's letters that he wrote during the war."

Both are characters in the "One Lives One Dies" story line and are included in the screenplay, according to Romano.

The fourth book — unfinished as yet — is called "One"" and is based on the other main character, Minor Smith Jr. from Landisburg in Fayette County.

While the book process continues, Romano is seeking grants and other funding mechanisms for the planned movie, some scenes for which have already been filmed. "My hope is to raise money to film the movie," Romano said.

As a promotional tool, he expects soon to release a short sizzle reel that features voice-overs based on West Virginians in the war. Hopefully, he says, that will lead to further funding opportunities.

----According to Romano, the hardcover Mercer County pictorial book is available at the following Mercer locations: Associated Photography and Framing in Princeton, The Hatter's Bookshop in Princeton, Princeton Library, Mercer County Historical Society in Princeton and Jimmy's Restaurant in Princeton. It is also available in Bramwell at the Corner Shop restaurant and at the Craft Memorial Library in Bluefield.

The Mercer County Historical Society and the Craft Library provided the majority of the photos, according to Romano. Photos also were supplied by Steve Jessee, as well as the Melvin Grubb Collection. There were some public submissions.

The book is 256 pages and features a seven-page index catalogued by last name. Photographs and accompanying text are classified into six districts.

Also, over 600 World War II veterans are profiled, and there are town views, houses, businesses, class photos, class reunion photos and other segments.

The cover cost is $75, but the book is currently on sale for $59.95 plus tax.

Individuals who would like to make a donation/purchase to help with funding the project can donate securely via PayPal. Or, they can send a check or money order to: Heroes Remembered LLC, PO Box 9, Cowen, WV 26206.

----Romano had begun planning the film project when Covid-19 launched its disruptive run.

With Covid restrictions in place, the project changed directions and he said he published the "One Lives One Dies" book first "in order to get the story out." Romano said he always intended to return to the film project, however. Now, he's hoping to drum up enough interest and financial backing to make that a reality.

"A low-budget film takes weeks to record," Romano says on his website. "During that time, we need to provide three meals a day, a place to stay and travel expenses for 30 to 40 people, which includes not just the actors and the director, producer, videographer and editor, but also those who build sets, search for locations, operate lighting and control demolitions.

"And we need help. We estimate we'll need $150,000 to $200,000 to complete this project. The more that we can raise, the better actors and finished product we will have."

For more information on the books, visit markromanoauthor.com.

For more on the movie, visit onelivesonedies.com.

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