A video screening of photographs and reminiscences from area Korean War veterans drew more than 100 people to the American Legion Post 52 in Rome on Tuesday night, Dec. 20.

The documentary set to music was the culmination of six months of work by Keon Lee, president of the Korean Association of Rome and Northwest Georgia, and his son, Andrew Lee.

“It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened,” said Rex Abernathy. “It’s brought a lot of veterans together.”

Even the ones who have been together all along, Ray Myers said.

“The first one up, I’d worked with him at (General Electric Co.) but I never knew he served,” Myers said. “We’d just never talked about it.”

Keon Lee, who also worked at GE, said he came up with the idea after attending an American Legion meeting and seeing the members trading stories and passing around tiny photographs.

“It’s a cumbersome way to share,” he said. “I thought if I could do something like this, not only could they share with each other but it could be passed down for generations.”

The Lees crafted an inspiring 93-minute montage, interspersing old black-and-white photographs of young soldiers and sailors with color shots of more recent times.

Their stories are told in their own words or, in the case of deceased veterans, by family members.

“Mr. Lee and his son did such a wonderful thing. It’s something I’ll never forget,” said J.W. Bowen.

The video featured Korean War veterans from Floyd, Chattooga, Polk and Gordon counties.

“It was a bittersweet project, because we couldn’t include veterans of all wars,” Lee said. “But it’s a good start.”

Charles Patterson said the project may have generated enough interest to form a regional chapter of Korean War Veterans.

Attendees received a copy of the video, and a copy is being donated to the Rome-Floyd County Library.