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CORVALLIS - Three Japanese-Americans who were interned in concentration camps in the United States during World War II will recount their experiences during a panel discussion on Friday, Feb. 19, at Oregon State University.

The event begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Asian-Pacific American Conference Room of the Memorial Union (Room 206). It is free and open to the public.

Titled "Japanese Americans and World War II: America's Concentration Camps," the panel discussion is part of a national day of remembrance. The OSU event is sponsored by the Asian-Pacific American Education Office and the Department of Ethnic Studies.

Speaking will be:

• Kenge Kobayashi, an Oregon artist, recently completed two paintings about his camp experience. The Imperial Valley, Calif., native was interned at Gila River, Ariz., and Tule Lake, Calif., during the war.

   

• Bob Kono, who was born in Los Angeles, recently completed a book about Japanese-American experiences during World War II. He was interned at Gila River, Heart Mountain, Wyo., and Crystal City, Texas.

   

• Richard Morita, a native of Pasadena, Calif., is a professor emeritus of microbiology at OSU. He was initially interned at Pasadena, then served on the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.