PENDLETON -- Author Alisha Hamel will discuss and read from her book, "When Duty Called: An Oral History of Oregon's World War II Veterans" during a book event in Pendleton.

The event is Thursday, Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Admission is free.

According to a press release, Hamel conducted a series of video and oral history interviews for the publication. It features engaging personal stories of veterans who participated in some of the most well-known engagements of World War II, including Pearl Harbor, the Bataan Death March and the last bombing raid over Japan. The book was published in September.

Death, hardship, romance and humor are common themes. These veterans, Hamel said, wanted their stories remembered not for themselves, but for their buddies who did not make it home and for their families to understand the role they played in World War II.

Hamel, who lives in Portland, has a master's degree in military history. She served during Desert Storm and was the command historian for the Oregon National Guard. She co-authored "Oregon Military (Images of America)" with Warren W. Aney.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase. For questions about the event, call the arts center at 541-278-9201.