Go home refugees! You suck! ....or stay?

Arab refugees should NOT be discouraged to start a new life in a new country.

My name is George Ohan and I was born in Aleppo, Syria. I am also a U.S. Army veteran; eight years active duty.

This message is for the Arabs and many other people around the world that are forced to become refugees in this time of turmoil and conflict. Do not be discouraged to live the life that you imagine for yourself. You CAN make your desired life your reality; just like I did.

In 1981 my family had to leave Syria and ended up in Los Angeles, CA. My parents didn’t speak any English, and Hollywood was much different than anything they had seen. 

My suggestion to refugees is to avoid watching mainstream news outlets and avoid reading anything published  by mainstream news outlets. News in America and around the world is BIG business. The more drama and negativity that a story has, the more viewers a news company can possibly get to watch that story. Viewers = Money.  Right now “refugees and war” is their main business model. The news companies report the stories that they want to tell and sell. They scare the people in foreign countries to think that a “refugee” is a terrorist. What’s your story as a refugee? Have you seen that version on the news?

Do not be discouraged by tactics of hate. Do not react with hate and anger. Do not lose focus on the perfect life that you imagine for yourself. If you are reading this, then you still have a chance to become anything that you want to become in your life. You still have the chance to do the things that you have always wanted to do with your life. Plan it, and do it.

Honestly, I do not believe that people in America are afraid of terrorists moving into their neighborhoods. Maybe they are afraid to see hard working Arabs or “refugees” coming into their neighborhoods because refugees might start to be successful in the same places that the locals have been struggling? 

 Take me for example:

1. I had 3 jobs in high school (age 14 - 17)
2. I joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old
3. I was promoted to Sergeant by 20 years old
4. I was promoted to Staff Sergeant by 23 years old
5. I graduated with 2 U.S. college degrees
6. I was voted as alumni President for Veterans of my college
7. I was voted as the Student Veterans of America, chapter President
8. I have started 5 businesses on my own, and 2 with partners
9. I have helped Americans start over 100 businesses
10. I was voted as Chapter Captain of Team Red, White & Blue

The list of success can go on, but I hope that you get my point…. I didn't take those positions from anyone. I EARNED everything by working harder than those people around me. Usually when people don't like me, it's because their laziness is exposed when they are compared to me. The work ethic of a motivated and hungry immigrant is hard to match by average locals in any country. It's called a sense of "urgency", but media will try to call it an "insurgency."

I’m happy that my parents did not take the advice of many Americans when they were told things like, “Go back to your country.” 

When I was selected, voted, or promoted to positions of higher authority and responsibility nobody ever said, “Hey! That guy is a Syrian immigrant! Send him back to his country!” People were happy that I was the right person for the job. I, George Ohan, a Syrian immigrant have been beating Americans in competition my whole life. I didn’t have any special advantage to be set up for success over any other people. The only thing that I had control over was my attitude and perspective about my situation. I keep my mind focused on my ultimate desires, and my chances of success seem to be increasing significantly.

Refugees will have to work much harder than anyone else to prove who you are, but that’s ok. Proving WHO you are (your character) only shows with time and consistency of your actions. Keep doing the right thing in your new community, do it for the right reasons, do it for a long time, and good results will come from it.

As a refugee, you will identify “friendly” people along your journey. Build on relationships with tolerant people and create lasting friendships with locals. Everybody does not hate refugees. From my experience, I have found that people are very similar around the world. They show love and respect, when love and respect are shown to them and their home. 

(Mirza, Muslim and Bosnian Refugee living in USA)

Seek a mentor in your new community. Figure out how things are done in the new region that you live in, and add value to your new community. Home is where you make it. You have a huge opportunity to show the world about the love and caring that your culture offers.

May God be with you.

Very respectfully,

George Ohan

Entrepreneur 

If someone can translate this blog to Arabic and re-post, that would be great!

Religion, Spirituality, and is there a Need for it?

Hello,

My name is George Ohan and I am currently producing a "Feature Documentary" about the Armenian church here in Southern California. (www.facebook.com/ArmenianChurchFilm) I would like to send an email to people in the Armenian community and give them this information.  It would be great to read feedback about their position on some of the topics we are bringing up.  This film is designed to bring up important topics like:

1. Determine why the faith, membership, and attendance practices of Armenians change so dramatically from 1st to 3rd generation for the Armenian Church?

2. Measure the success or failure of the ministry of the Armenian church in America.

3. Provide a groundwork of eveidence for any future study on the need for adjusting the method of ministry of the Armenian church.

4. Does the Armenian church belong at the root of the Armenian culture?

We have already filmed at seven different locations from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Southern California.  At this point we would like to get feedback from the community and add depth to the story behind this interesting project.  Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Emails can be sent to ArmenianChurchFilm@yahoo.com

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan

USMC - I would've been a Marine, but I was too FAT

My father was from Syria and my mother was from Lebanon and they decided on moving to the jungle of the United States of America in 1981; Los Angeles.  Years later we had moved 4 hours north to Madera, CA.   I was 16 years old and it was my junior year of high school.  This was the first time that I had realized there was life after graduation.  As I started to pay attention to what was going on around me I noticed a bunch of students getting ready for college.  My parents had never told me about college; how would they know what it was like to get into an American college?  After all, they were Armenian immigrants.    One thing was certain my family LOVED the United States and felt very American.

I drove to the Marine Corps recruiting office in Fresno, CA and ran into two interesting characters.  One man was Sergeant Vernon and the other one was Gunnery Sergeant Gorsky.  Now, mind you..... I was interested in the Marine Corps because I had heard about 1,000 helicopter pilot stories from my friend's dad; Captain Terry Lewis.  He had encouraged me and motivated me about the American military.  When I walked into the USMC recruiting station I heard,"Ahhhh shit!" Then they started laughing quietly.  I walked further into the recruiting station and I heard,"Wassup my man, Ahahahaha..... Ya man, right here."  Sergeant Vernon was pointing at the weight scale while Gunnery Sergeant Gorsky chimed in with,"You're probably gonna be too fat, but I'll get down your basic info anyways."  He asked many random questions, like my address, phone number, and medical history......but he never asked me my name.

These comments had not bothered me in the least bit.  I was just surprised that the Marines weren't super human like I had been taught.  This was my first time having any interaction with Marines, besides from the neighborhood heroes.  I immediately started to assess my situation and decided that this is not the type of people I want to be around.  Sergeant Vernon spoke as if he was an announcer with a drum roll from Gunnery Sergeant Gorsky,"Twoooooo Hundreeeeeeeed and Thirt Teeeeeeee Fiiiiivvveee pounds!!!!"  I put my shoes back on and without uttering a word I slowly walked out of their office and looked toward the other recruiting stations.  It was 9:00pm and the other stations were already shut down for the evening so I went to Taco Bell and stuffed my fat face before going home.

While I was at home the remarks of the recruiters started to bother me.  I knew I was fat.  I knew I needed help.  I knew I wasn't ready to be a Marine, that's why I was there........and my fu*kin name is George Ohan sir.  At 11:15pm I heard a knock at my door at home and when I answered it Sergeant Vernon stood there with a packet of paperwork in his hands ready to be filled out.  I did not invite him in because I was confused of his arrival.  He told us that the USMC had opened up a few slots with weight waivers, blah, blah, blah.  He started getting very aggressive and rude.  A few minutes later my father asked him to leave and Sergeant Vernon said in a very stern voice,"Sir you need to understand that this is America and this is how the system is.  He needs to come with me to Sacramento tonight."  Sergeant Vernon would rather have me go to the Military Entrance Processing Station and fail the height and weight requirements than to disqualify me as an applicant.  Needless to say, my father was not happy and kicked him out of our home.

The next day I went to the Army recruiting station and came across a Soldier by the name of Staff Sergeant Shenefelt.  I'm not going to say he was the best guy or Soldier in the world, but I can say that he took the time to help me.   I walked into the recruiting station and before he asked me any questions about weight, medical, or law violations he asked about my interests and educational goals.  He KNEW I was fat, just like I did.  He also knew to look past that for a moment.  By the time the meeting was done we had put together a workout plan and assessed that I had to lose 65 pounds to qualify for the Army.   I showed up the next afternoon after school and he took me for a run that nearly killed me.  It was just what I needed.

I lost the weight.  I joined the Army.  All I needed was some motivation from a LEADER outside of my family or close circle of friends.  If you are a person in a power position it is imperative to always be the LEADER.  It took a 10 minute conversation for an Army recruiter to recognize my potential and he gave me a shot.  I strived in the military to be named as "Top Soldier" on many occasions and went on to earn numerous awards and commendations while serving active duty in the U.S. Army.  I had also reached the rank of Staff Sergeant (P) promotable before deciding to become a civilian again.

The point I'd like to make is that I did not let the actions of a couple of people that were not representing the Marine Corps the way they should've been determine my future path.  My reactions to their less than honorable behavior is what set the tone to my future success.  I KNEW I was fat, that's why I went to the Marines......for help.  If someone comes to you and expresses a need, it's probably true and worth further investigation.  This can apply for any situation.  Sometimes people just want to talk.  Someone may suffer from PTSD, low self-esteem, depression, etc... If they're reaching out to you please be a friend, be a mentor, be a leader.......just be there.

Sergeant Vernon and Gunnery Sergeant Gorsky, You were right.  My weight prevented me from wearing the same uniform as you.  No hard feelings though.  I served this country honorably for eight years active duty as an Army Soldier and I feel very privileged for having an opportunity to do that.  Currently I help ALL military branches find work in the Film & Television field through an organization called Vets on Set.  I am also the alumni president for veterans at Los Angeles Film School.  Oh ya, I also belong to a group called Veterans in Film & Television located in Hollywood, CA..... not bad for a FAT boy huh?

Thank you for taking a moment to read some of my thoughts.

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
George@SignatureXavier.com


@Fresno_Famous

OhanGeorge on YouTube