Samaritan Village
The Meeting of Two American Heroes

Like a page from a movie script, within a few days after moving to Samaritan Village, the staff introduced Allen Sughrue to Chuck Walker, resident of four and a half years. As the stories of their experience in POW camps in World War II unfolded, their histories revealed that they nearly met some 60 years ago under formidable circumstances, living just feet apart in the same prison in Budapest as “guests” of the Third Reich.

Walker and Sughrue’s planes had been shot down just five days apart, and after difficult landings and violent encounters with Hungarian farmers, both were held in a 4-story stone prison in Budapest where they survived deplorable conditions before being moved; Sughrue lead on a treacherous march through Europe and Walker to the infamous Stalag Luft III.

After spending nearly one year as Prisoners of War, both Walker and Sughrue returned home to America and pursued careers in manufacturing and truck repair/maintenance respectively. Nearly one year ago they met at Samaritan Village and have remained great friends since.

“Such a high percentage of people wait too long to move into a place like this,” Walker said. “When you move in here, you’re a little freer than you were before. It’s been very good for my wife.”

Chuck pointed out that while several of his longtime friends have joined him at Samaritan Village, he’s had no trouble expanding his social circle to include new connections. “We have had no problems getting acquainted with people. It’s been very good for both of us that way.”

In May 2008, these new friends served as Grand Marshalls in the parade at the Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival in their new home town. The friendship Chuck and Allen have formed and the memories they are creating are a testament to the generosity of John and June Rogers and to the success of Samaritan Village in providing a unique fulfilling lifestyle for Central Valley seniors.

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