Two ISU professors unveiled their book, “Heroes Among Us,” in Des Moines this weekend, just in time for the celebration of Veterans Day on Monday.

The book is half of a two-part project about Iowa veterans. It was written by Jane Cox and Patrick Gouran, associate professors of music.

Before the book’s publication, “Heroes Among Us” was produced as a play at Iowa State’s Fisher Theater. While the book was originally planned for release before the premiere of the play, it was decided to release the play on Dec. 7, 2001, the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Cox wrote the play and Gouran directed the production, which featured ISU Theatre students portraying veterans.

Eight of the veterans portrayed in the play signed copies of the book for a crowd of hundreds in Des Moines.

One of the veterans portrayed in the play, Bug Gormally, passed away last year. His wife, Betty Grannan, signed books in his stead.

The men and women whose courage is reflected in the book fought in all areas of the war.

They flew B-17s, nursed soldiers back to health, witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and spent years in prisoner-of-war camps, Cox said.

Joe Viola, veteran of the Coast Guard, participated in eight landings in the South Pacific on board his ship, the USS Aquarius, during World War II.

“We are not heroes. The heroes we left there,” he said. “We are just representing them here tonight.”

Harold Norris, a member of the 101st Airborne who dropped behind enemy lines in Holland, said the book provides a realistic picture of World War II because it is in the veterans’ own words and is not fiction.

Bruce Longstreet was in the Army infantry and was captured by Germans. He said the book is a necessary look into the past.

“It’s a story that has to be told,” he said.

Ruth Smith Miller, an Army nurse who became a first lieutenant, was in a unit that operated behind enemy lines.

“We need to cast these memories on to remember the suffering that went on,” she said.

Gene Fleener, who spent 44 months as a POW in Japan, could not attend the unveiling.

The veterans said working with Cox and Gouran on the book was an enjoyable experience.

Cox said she and Gouran plan on trying to get the play produced in other areas because Iowa veterans represent heroes everywhere.

“These [people] are wonderful human beings and they aren’t going to be here forever,” Cox said.