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From Habbaniya, Iraq, To… The Newsletter of HHUUSSAA Habbaniya Union School Association Vol.1, No.2: Fall-Winter, 2002 Motto: To inform, connect with and to preserve old ties between former schoolmates and between residents of Habbaniya “town” With your support, HUSA hitch-hikes a ride! Dear Fellow Habbaniyans & Friends: nered by our first print. Although still not quite what we had hoped for, we decided HUSA had finally During the early weeks following the distribution hitch-hiked a ride! of the first print of HUSA’s maiden issue (and my Now we are confident that in time, when our pro- new book An Assyrian’s Youth Journal), Ben Yalda fessional work and quality of journalism is savored and I had a frown on our faces. Few prospective by other readers, many more will hop in for the ride. members seemed im- And as you can see pressed, or heeded our from this issue, the appeal for support. quality, and the And what worried us quantity, of our most was that some of newsletter is an im- the irresponsive ones provement over the were not only long- previous issue. We time friends or ac- have more pages and quaintances, but also more interesting ma- hardcore Habbani- terial to offer you. yans. And a few of Even more encour- them still haven’t res- aging is the number ponded to our appeal of letters received to date, despite remin- from the readers. der. But among those And they are, as you who responded posi- can see on the “Ex- tively, were a few Jan.1940: Union School Boy Scouts & Girl Guides assembled press Yourself!”pages, generous souls who in the school courtyard prior to a street parade. galore! And most of contributed a donation them express pleasure in addition to the newsletter subscription or price of in our product. We have also received a few interes- the book. We were grateful for that, and we appre- ting articles. It is hoped that the enthusiasm will ciated everyone’s support. But frankly, we thought continue unabated, and that we will even receive the small number of respondents hardly made our some constructive comments—suggestions, criticism, work and expense worthwhile. etc—along with articles and other publishable ma- The Iraqis have a saying: “M’ballal mai khaf min terial from our readers for further change and im- al-mattar.” (He who is wet is not afraid of the rain), provement. But all such offerings will have to have a or per Assyrian saying: “Ao d’dawik niuneh k’tareh bearing on Hinaidi or Habbaniya and its local people quineh.” (He who catches fishes wets his bottom—or We have now printed, after some trimming in a pant seat if you like.) few cases, all of the letters received. We are sorry So undaunted, Ben and I decided to go the whole that a few letters reached us too late to include in this hog and give our venture another push. We ordered a issue. We hope to print these in our next number. second print of 250 copies of the first issue, with a But readers will have to observe our deadlines indi- few minor changes, and distributed the newsletter to cated in the masthead on page two. new names and addresses. Unfortunately, this too did A few of our readers have complained orally that not elicit the additional number of subscribers we had the ten-point print used is somewhat too fine for the in mind, but it did attract twice as many as we gar- Cont’d on page 6 HUSA 2 Vol.1, No.2: Fall-Winter, 2002 Editor In This Issue Mikhael K. Pius 3504 Setrok Dr, Modesto, CA 95356, USA Tel.(209) 545-4120 HUSA Hitch-hikes a ride (Editorial), By Mikhael K. Pius………………………………….1 E-mail: [email protected] HUSA Contents; and Christmas Spirit, By Basil K. Pius………………………………2 Express Yourself! (Readers’ Letters)………………..………………………………….…3-6 Administration Manager Report on 5th Habbaniya Union School Reunion, By Mikhael K. Pius…….………...7&8 Benyamin E. Yalda When Habbaniyans celebrated Christmas in Groups, By Mikhael K. Pius……………...9-11 9350 N. Parkside Drive, Des Plaines, Chit-chatin’ about Hab Friends, By Mikhael K. Pius…………………………………..12 IL 60016, USA Assyrian weather observers of Habbaniya, Contr.by Zacharia Zacharia & Davis David….13 Tel. (847) 296-7597; Fax?847)297-0303 E-mail: [email protected] Youel Ge wargis: Gentleman Sportsman, By Mikhael K. Pius….………………....14&15 Former Habb teacher pays tribute, By Raabi Albert Babilla….……………………………16 Contributing Editor: Assyrian Levies march again, By William Yoel…..…………………………………...17 Basil K. Pius Hab Employees’ Club puts on play, By M.K. Pius………………………………………...18 218 N. Cottage Grove From Habbaniya to Miles City, Montana, By Basil K. Pius...…………………………….19 Miles City, MT 59301 Habbaniyan with golden horn, By Mikhael K. Pius…..……………………………….20&21 Tel.406-232-0366 E-mail: [email protected] Hab Tennis Championship, By M.K.Pius; CC soccer win over R.A.F, By A.Vincent..22 Habbaniya Flood Scare of 1940, By Solomon S. Solomon…..……………………………23 Habbaniya Union School Reunion A True Assyrian, By Youkhanna Patros; In Remembrance of Awia Kanon, By MKP...24 Founding Committee Benyamin E. Yalda Sargon Y. Aboona Odisho Warda Zacharia O. Zacharia Representatives Zacharia O. Zacharia—California John Aghajan—Canada Andrious M. Jotyar—England & Europe Dinkha Warda—Australia & New Zealand THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Membership Subscription By Basil K. Pius USA & Canada………………….US$ 8.00 This Christmas Day a baby is born in Bethlehem All other countries…………..…..US$10.00 Checks or Money Orders to be made And His name is Emmanuel… “God is with us.” payable to: He forgives our sins because His love is unconditional. HABBANIYA UNION SCHOOL So let’s celebrate this Christmas in a faithful way ASSOCIATION As we listen to Jesus, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and mailed to: An awesome commandment, but it can be simplified: The Administration Manager This Christmas visit a sick friend, give to our needy, Talk with a lonesome shut-in or greet an apathetic neighbor, The Editor welcomes from readers Call a far-away friend and tell him/her how much you care. contributions of articles, letters, photos, documents, newspaper In a spirit of humility, make amends from the heart. clippings, and other memorabilia relating to Hinaidi and Habbaniya Send out Christmas cards, but be generous with your time, and their people. These may be Express a little more than printing your name, of a current or vintage nature Say something special about people, something genuine; and may be on any subject, It’s worth more than any expensive package you may offer, other than politics—if Make communication a habit, not an OBLIGATION. it can be helped! Remember, people love surprises, all year round. Deadlines: March 31, and September 30. Count your blessings and pray for PEACE, Peace among nations, in the family and peace within yourself. Opinions expressed in this And let His light shine before you, newsletter are the writer’s own and do not necessarily represent And give praise to His glory in heaven. AMEN. those of this newsletter or its Editorial Staff. ************* Material from this newsletter may A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year be reproduced by other sources, provided proper published from HUSA staff to each and every one of you. credit is given. And many thanks for your support. HUSA 3 Vol.1, No.2: Fall-Winter, 2002 What’s on your mind? E x p r e s s y o u r s e l f ! (in a letter or e-mail) Dear Mikhael: I was ten years old when we left also reading HUSA newsletter. Thanks for I would like to compliment Ben Yalda Habbaniya to Baghdad, but still through all these and yourself for coming up with the idea your eloquent writing I can visualize I am sending a $50.00 check to cover of publishing the newsletter of Habbaniya some places, events and faces, such as the expenses you have gone through in Union School Association (HUSA). that of Minnania and Mr. Ingram. And mailing these to me, leaving a balance to What a great way to promote communi- your description of events on page three be included in the collection for the cation among our people! Both Sargon of your book reminded me of myself as a Assyrian needy in Jordan. [her husband] and I enjoyed it and will be little girl of seven years, running from our Yooshia K. Poloss looking forward to future issues. house and heading for the shelter while Hollywood, Calif Our family is honored to see the first shells whistled over my head. Dear Mikhael: issue dedicated to my late father Raabi Mikhael, you have not only fulfilled Fantastic newsletter! Well done, to you Yacoub Bet-Yacoub. If he were alive, he your dream to be a writer but in your and Ben Yalda. I really enjoyed reading would have been so proud, grateful and works you also have served your people it; I did not miss one single letter of it; it honored for being remembered by his diligently by giving them a treasure chest was so nostalgic. But then again, we come students and being appreciated for his full of memories. to expect this of you. contributions. I can’t hold back my tears In closing, I would like to speak for As you know, we had a very good 5th as I’m writing this. If he were holding the my late father and say “God bless all of Reunion here in England, and I’m glad I newsletter now, he would have said, “I the students of Habbaniya Union School.” was part of it.
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