HUDSON Mass. - On Feb. 12, 1973, the first American prisoners of war were released from Hỏa Lò Prison in Vietnam. ​

"50 years later, your strength, your courage, and your resilience is as important to share now as it was then," said James Schenck, president and CEO of the PenFed Credit Union.

A new exhibit at the American Heritage Museum commemorates the anniversary. It features two original cells which held American POWs.

Retired Air Force Colonel Michael Brazelton was one of those prisoners.

What You Need To Know

  • Sunday marked 50 years since American prisoners of war were released in Vietnam

  • A new exhibit at the American Heritage museum in Hudson brings those experiences to life

  • It features two original cells which held American POWs

  • Living POWs were given a VIP, first-hand look at the exhibit Saturday

"It's pretty accurate," Brazelton said of the exhibit. "Scary."

Brazelton was one of several former prisoners of war in attendance for a VIP viewing of the exhibit.

Half a century later, he says the amount of support he and fellow POWs get is still a surprise.

"We thought our time came and went years and years ago," said Brazelton. "But, it's still important to a lot of people. And if it is, those people are important to me."

Hundreds of American aviators became prisoners after being shot down in Vietnam. They were held in the prison also called the "Hanoi Hilton."

Prisoners endured isolation, malnutrition and torture. 

Retired Rear Admiral Robert Shumaker lived through those horrors for eight years, before walking out of the prison exactly 50 years to the day Sunday.

"These two days mean a lot to me," Shumaker said.

The museum says the exhibit brings to life the incredible strength and courage of these brave men.

People who lived to tell their story say they hope it opens eyes.

"It's a wonderful museum, mostly for younger generations to understand how important freedom is," said Shumaker.