Heartbreak, anguish and victory: World War II veterans tell their tales.

They fought and won World War II, then locked away the stories of their personal deeds for decades. Now, as their generation moves through its sunset years, Central San Joaquin Valley World War II veterans offer others a glimpse of what they experienced so many years ago.The remembrances of more than 75 area veterans, Compiled by Janice Stevens in "Stories of Service", offer heart-pounding looks at combat and poignant insights into wartime burdens such as separation, worry and grief.

Several veterans whose stories are featured in the anthology will attend a book signing September 8th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Tamsen Munger Gallery in Fresno.

Veterans who will be at the book signings include:

Robert Owens
Who will never forget the ominous sound of a chain scraping down the hull of the submarine USS Tinosa as it sneaked through a minefield at the southern entrance to the Sea of Japan in June of 1945.

Vera Thacker
Who enlisted in the Marines without her parents' permission during World War II and then saw her son join the Marines without her permission during the Vietnam War.

Frank Creede
Who was taken prisoner by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and has vivid memories of being forced to stand in the snow without shoes at a prisoner of war camp on Jan. 28, 1945.

John Costello 
Who twice escaped death and serious injury in Europe, once when he obeyed a voice that said "Don't move" during an artillery attack and another time when an errant American mortar shell exploded nearby."