I first arrived in Saudi Arabia in 1946 with my parents, Gerry and Dolores Kennedy (Badge #125), and two siblings, Mollie and Terry. I was one of the 13 kids in Ras Tanura who opened the school in 1946 in the old Mess Hall with Mr. Sam Whipple as teacher and principal.
In 1983, I went on a weekend trip with the Jeddah Square Dance Club, "The Red Sea Squares," to Dhahran to attend a hoedown.
For the past nine years, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, in conjunction with the Joseph J. Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies, has offered American professionals in academia, government, the military, non-governmental organizations, business, religious institutions, the media, civic associations, the fine arts, humanities, and the social sciences a chance to explore Oman.
More than ever before, people today are taking a keen interest in their families, going back generations. Witness the phenomenal popularity and growth of genealogy. Aramcons are not immune from the family history bug. Being that every Aramcon annuitant is part of a giant extended family with branches around the world, the search for information on one’s forebears can produce rich results.
Many Aramcons may be familiar with Ben Mayeri of Isfahan, Iran, one of the greatest metalsmiths of modern times. He was featured in National Geographic. In fact, oil rig operators used to have their hard hats engraved by this master craftsmen.
Reilly Financial Advisors (RFA) is the only U.S. wealth management firm dedicated to serving the needs of the American expatriate community of Aramco. As CEO, Don Reilly's son, Frank, prepares to assume more comprehensive leadership of the firm. We asked Don to reminisce about his more than a third of a century of service.
Greetings! Having just returned from the recent Aramco Expatriate Reunion in Orlando, Florida, we wanted to just say how lovely it was to see many of you!
To all Orlando Hafla 2010 Attendees: First of all let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to the Reunion. You all made it happen, you all contributed to its success. The committee chairs, the committee members were fantastic; you all did such a marvelous job, that I just wasn't needed.
The following document explains how the newly formed Saudi Aramco Annuitants Biennial Hafla Organizing Committee will oversee and help with all future Annuitants Reunions.
At Aramco Annuitant Reunions, there's rarely a moment of boredom. In between athletic tournaments, sociable card games, and delightful meals for mingling with old friends, you always have someone new to meet and something exciting to see at the Sidelines Suq. The Suq at the 2010 Annuitants Reunion in Orlando, Florida was no exception.
The long-awaited OrlandoHafla2010 Reunion is finally here!
On a bright, early Thursday morning in November 2009, seven library students joined me in passing out 225 gift packages containing a couple pairs of work socks or a winter cap to the contract workers of Udhailiyah.
Inspired by Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea, a beautiful PowerPoint lesson was created to share this story with students from kindergarten through 9th grade during library lessons. The book talk was a huge success, filling the school with a positive energy resulting from the presentation.
In the early 80s, employees in the Offshore Projects Department at Saudi Aramco formed a softball team called the Offshore Trash. The team played together for several years, having very good success in the local Aramco league.
Along with visits to residential camps, ExPats and Brats at the 2009 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reunion visited some of the beautiful sites throughout the country.
Since its inception in 1999, Saudi Arabia Day has become an important event that celebrates the Paul J. Nance Collection; the growing connections between UCM, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East; and UCM’s longstanding belief in international education.
I would like to share with you an unforgettable event which will bring back wonderful memories to some Udhailiyah residents and to many others who helped make this event a success story. Date of event: May 2nd, 2002 - Location: Udhailiyah Camp, West Flank.
I must say I had a great time at the Aramco Reunion in Las Vegas. Being able to meet with current clients, old friends and acquaintances who I have come to know during my visits to the Kingdom over the past 34 years, was a pleasure.
On Wednesday, October 1st, the final night of the 2008 Annuitant Reunion, Jabal Las Vegas, 1,000+ attendees gathered for the traditional Gala Festival at Paris Hotel and Casino. Pre-dinner activities once again included a cocktail hour with a formal photo opportunity to help commemorate this year’s reunion with your closest Aramcon friends.
The Really Old Old-Timers Reunion was held in the Spanish restaurant, El Patio Español in San Francisco on Sunday, April 20th.