Charleroi native William "Gus" Pagonis was one of the first handful of military personnel into the desert just a few days after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990.

He was among the last to leave in early 1992.

Pagonis, who was chief of logistics for the Army during Operation Desert Storm, was promoted to lieutenant general, receiving his third star while still serving overseas.

He is among those profiled in "Veterans of the Valley."

And Pagonis has agreed to write the forward for the book, which will be available next month.

"Wonderful recap of the men and women from the Mon-Valley who served our nation in our Armed Forces from the American Revolution to the modern day Gulf Wars," Pagnois writes.

Want to read more?

Advance sales of the book are being offered for $14.95, including tax.

Once the book is published, it will be sold for $19.95 per copy.

Advertisements detailing how to purchase memorials and take advantage of the advance-sale discount will appear on a regular basis in The Valley Independent during the upcoming days and weeks.

Area residents who served in uniform can have their service-era photos included in the book free of charge.

All they need to do to take advantage of this offer is to provide The Valley Independent with a photo and appropriate identification, including the name and address of the veteran, along with his or her branch of service, the period served and the conflict involved, if any.

The deadline for submitting photos for inclusion in the book is Oct. 20.