June 10, 2019 - A special thank you to Mayor Steve Williams, Bryan Chambers, the City of Huntington, and City Council.
Today, Mayor Williams proclaimed June Immigration Heritage Month in Huntington and honored my parents Julian Saad and Jihad Saad for their service to this community having been residents for 50 and 45 years, respectively.
They immigrated to these United States and became U.S. citizens in 1976 and 1980. My parents love this City and have given their hearts and hard work to this community. Here is to 50 more years.
Today, Mayor Williams proclaimed June Immigration Heritage Month in Huntington and honored my parents Julian Saad and Jihad Saad for their service to this community having been residents for 50 and 45 years, respectively.
They immigrated to these United States and became U.S. citizens in 1976 and 1980. My parents love this City and have given their hearts and hard work to this community. Here is to 50 more years.
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A “Saad” Story... posted on Facebook on Wednesday, September 25, 2019
My Country ‘tis of thee
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing ...
In 1969, one Julian Saad came to these United States to make himself a new life and a new home in a new land. In 1974, 45 years ago on this day, while visiting his mother land in Lebanon, he married the lovely Jihad Hanna Haddad.
Over the last 45 years, they have: become U.S. Citizens, raised a family of four children, started multiple businesses in Huntington, WV, became active members of the community, given time and money to improve and grow this area, buried a daughter, 8 wonderful grandchildren, and (unlike one particular child) generally steered clear of any politics.
What they have done more than anything else, is teach their children how to love, how to work hard every day, how to have high moral principles, to treat each and every human being with love and respect regardless of that person’s faith, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or even that person’s political party.
They raised my sisters and I in the Eastern Orthodox Christian church. They have given their lives to our church. More importantly to me, they live the lives of Christians without judging those around them, without self-righteousness, and most important with love and good works.
Jihad - my mother’s name invokes emotions - but this woman herself defines humbleness, kindness, and pureness of heart. She is the quiet one in the background who served as the backbone and foundation for our family’s success. Her quietness should not be confused with weakness. She taught me to never back down from what is right and to never be intimidated by bullies. “If someone steps on your foot, you step on their head.” No, my mother does not promote violence, she promoted strong-willed children.
She and my father - who had nothing upon arrival to this Great nation - worked for everything they had, preached to us to be blessed with everything we had, and to always look to family and faith first. They taught us children to be leaders and never followers and to enjoy life each and every day.
45 years of marriage and both still look as young and vibrant as ever. I could not be more blessed with the two parents I have and the life I was able to live because of them. And damn, they both can cook and entertain too.
No, they did not ride on any camels 🐪- one hump or two - nor did they come from any desert as Lebanon has no camels nor deserts, but baklawa is one heck of a dessert.
The name “Saad” means Happy, luck or good fortune and happiness and good fortune is what we have had.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Love,
Abraham of House Saad,
First of His Name
My Country ‘tis of thee
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing ...
In 1969, one Julian Saad came to these United States to make himself a new life and a new home in a new land. In 1974, 45 years ago on this day, while visiting his mother land in Lebanon, he married the lovely Jihad Hanna Haddad.
Over the last 45 years, they have: become U.S. Citizens, raised a family of four children, started multiple businesses in Huntington, WV, became active members of the community, given time and money to improve and grow this area, buried a daughter, 8 wonderful grandchildren, and (unlike one particular child) generally steered clear of any politics.
What they have done more than anything else, is teach their children how to love, how to work hard every day, how to have high moral principles, to treat each and every human being with love and respect regardless of that person’s faith, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or even that person’s political party.
They raised my sisters and I in the Eastern Orthodox Christian church. They have given their lives to our church. More importantly to me, they live the lives of Christians without judging those around them, without self-righteousness, and most important with love and good works.
Jihad - my mother’s name invokes emotions - but this woman herself defines humbleness, kindness, and pureness of heart. She is the quiet one in the background who served as the backbone and foundation for our family’s success. Her quietness should not be confused with weakness. She taught me to never back down from what is right and to never be intimidated by bullies. “If someone steps on your foot, you step on their head.” No, my mother does not promote violence, she promoted strong-willed children.
She and my father - who had nothing upon arrival to this Great nation - worked for everything they had, preached to us to be blessed with everything we had, and to always look to family and faith first. They taught us children to be leaders and never followers and to enjoy life each and every day.
45 years of marriage and both still look as young and vibrant as ever. I could not be more blessed with the two parents I have and the life I was able to live because of them. And damn, they both can cook and entertain too.
No, they did not ride on any camels 🐪- one hump or two - nor did they come from any desert as Lebanon has no camels nor deserts, but baklawa is one heck of a dessert.
The name “Saad” means Happy, luck or good fortune and happiness and good fortune is what we have had.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Love,
Abraham of House Saad,
First of His Name