The Central Pennsylvania World War II Roundtable will meet on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 433 E. Main St., Hummelstown.

Retired U.S. Army Col. David Blackledge will speak about his father's service in the Philippines during World War II, including his capture at Bataan and his experience on a succession of Japanese ships commonly known as hell ships. Blackledge will also share about his family's harrowing rescue from Los Banos Internment Camp near Manila. Blackledge retired as the director of national security studies at the Army War College.

The meeting is open to the public, and no registration is required. Additional information can be found at http://www.centralpaww2roundtable.org.