A Note About the Author: Ken Slavin
Ken Slavin is the grandson of the late Ken and Mildred Webster, Aramcons from the early days of the company. Ken lives in San Antonio, Texas, where he is a public relations consultant, freelance writer and professional jazz singer. As you read the installments, please let me know what you think. E-mail me at kslavin@satx.rr.com
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia 1944-1959
CHAPTER 11: 1951 is a year of great change in the world, continued conflict in Korea and the Middle East and great economic and social recovery in Western Europe under the nearly completed U.S.-led Marshall Plan. For Aramco, it is another year of record-breaking growth and oil production. And for Ken Webster, it is a year of exceptional professional achievement.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia 1944-1959
CHAPTER 10: “There is a rumor of a big stir-up out here!” Another job change and more responsibility for Ken Webster, the family’s first local leave, the opening of the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, the continued expansion of Aramco in all parts of the Kingdom, and worldwide headlines for a former company secretary who swims the English Channel.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia 1944-1959
Chapter 9: “THAT’S OIL, FOLKS!” -- Ken Webster begins a series of detailed reports on Aramco departments, camp life, the Muslim faith and more; the Crown Prince and his entourage visit for a month; Ken travels to the Empty Quarter and the King’s farms; Aramco rolls out the “Applied Leadership Series 1950 Training Program” to promote better understanding between management and employees; currency switches from U.S. dollars to Saudi Riyals.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia 1944-1959
Chapter 8: The Webster's get an unexpected Home Leave; Ken Webster takes on new management assignments and helps with the family letters; Lynn Webster joins her husband in Arabia; the King orders prayers for rain; Aramco expansion continues unabated.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia 1944-1959
Chapter 7: “You cannot really understand how vast is the effect on Saudi Arabia of the Americans being here . . . my department has $94,000,000 to spend before June 1st, 1949.”
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 6: "Little America in a Big Way" - the aramco building boom continues; the crown prince pays a visit; tragic loss of a friend and coworker.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 5: New house; Home leave; Ken Webster's brother takes a job with Aramco; Christmas cheer in Arabia
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 4: Historic royal visit; Lost letters; Aramco grows in leaps and bounds; Ken Webster gets a big promotion and moves permanently to Dhahran; Dreaming of home leave.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 3: Inshallah: Allah Willing!
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 2: Aramco Life Begins
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia, 1944-1959
Chapter 1: From Texaco to Aramco, High Hopes for the Future, Christmas Wishes, and Mother and Daughters Fly to Arabia.
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"Dear Folks": The Webster Letters From Arabia, 1944-1959
Ken Slavin presents a new series of articles in his introduction to "Dear Folks": The Webster Letters from Arabia, 1944-1959. Based on the weekly letters his grandparents sent Stateside to loved ones during their years in Saudi Arabia, these letters are loaded with colorful stories of everday life in young Aramco.