WWII Vet shares his story of survival

It was 1945 in a Nazi war camp when local resident, Jimmy Arsenault, and 38 other prisoners-of-war decided that if they made it out, they'd tell their story.

More than 60 years later, that dream has finally become a reality with the new book, "Brothers of War: The P.O.W. Experience." The book tells how the 39 P.O.W.s all made it out alive together.

Since the mid-1970s, Arsenault has had yearly gatherings with the survivors where they shared stories of their harrowing year behind enemy lines. Today, only three remain alive.

Arsenault says he was spurred on to finish the book as he got older. The dream became a reality when the 87-year-old veteran met ghostwriter Nancy Parsons who helped put the collective memoir of the 39 survivors together.

All of the book's profits will go to aid local veterans' services. The book is on sale at the North Reading Senior Center, Carr's Hallmark, and Ryers Store.