This year marks the 65th anniversary of liberation for U.S. civilians imprisoned by Japan during World War II in the Philippines. A local organization, Bay Area Civilians Ex-POWs, will hold a spring luncheon meeting on Saturday, May 1, at the Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Ave. in Alameda.

Registration and social hour will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30pm. Buffet lunch is at 12:30pm. The luncheon is $27 for members and $29 for guests.

Guest speaker will be Nancy Keeney Forster, author of "Encounters: A Lifetime Spent Crossing Cultural Frontiers."

Membership is open to all ex-POWs: military and civilians, descendents, historians and friends.

Go to www.bacepow.net for more information.

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