JUNE 2023

NEW AMERICANS
David Shammas is Chasing the Dream
BY CAL ABBO
In the Middle East, war seems to
chase you like a monster from a
Stephen King novel. It’s unrelenting
and always a step ahead; a story
told by many Chaldeans who arrive
in the bright and beautiful lands of
America. The story of David Shammas
is no exception.
There was no way to stay in Baghdad
after the United States invaded
the country of Iraq in 2003. The Shammas
family had seen it before—it happens
to Iraq every decade or so. But
this was David’s first experience with
war. This time, his family fled to Syria
while they applied for a visa to the
U.S. to find a better life.
David often woke
up from the sounds
of explosions. He
wondered if he
should go to school
each day, or if he
would return home,
or if there might not
even be a home to
return to.
Syria’s stability wouldn’t last long.
Its ruler Bashar al-Assad, who has
served as president of Syria since the
year 2000, took power when he was
only 34 years old. He had opponents
who were armed, dangerous, and
ready to make revolution.
David often woke up from the
sounds of explosions. He wondered
if he should go to school each day, or
if he would return home, or if there
might not even be a home to return
to. “School is supposed to be a safe
place,” he said. “Kids are supposed
to go there and play and have fun and
enjoy learning. For me, it was dangerous.”
During his years in Syria, he often
felt worried and distressed, questioning
his family’s decision to stay in
Syria. Should they go to Jordan or Turkey,
which are more stable, and apply
from there? Ultimately, his parents
decided to stick it out.
One day, rather than a stray rocket,
a miracle struck. This was what
his family had been waiting for, and
it finally came—a golden ticket to the
United States, more than six years
after they first applied and moved to
Syria.
David called it one of the best
days of his life. “I think people need
hope,” David said, “and they should
not lose it no matter what happens.
For me, this was the light at the end
of the tunnel. I was off to a whole new
life.”
By the time the Shammas family
settled down in the U.S., David was
already 17 years old. The wars, however,
had aged him. His wisdom, compassion,
and propensity for learning
new things went far beyond his own
years. As an immigrant who had seen
hardship incomparable to anything in
the States, he was set to excel in such
a safe and promising environment.
David had enormous pressure on
his shoulders as an only child to support
his parents, whom he calls his
“best friends,” and he delivered.
David got his first job as a waiter at
a popular Chaldean restaurant in the
community. He began to cement himself
within it, meeting people, learning
English, and pursuing his greatest
passion, education. He finished high
school, learned English, and planned
to study Software Engineering and
Computer Science—- topics which
fascinated him.
David quickly grew out of his role
as a waiter and began to take leadership
positions. He began planning
events and supervising other waiters.
His peers looked up to him, and in a
new country, he finally got the space
to grow as a person, find his dreams,
and chase them.
In 2021, David earned his bachelor’s
degree from Oakland University
in computer science. This was just
the beginning for him, however, as
NEW AMERICANS
continued on page 30
28 CHALDEAN NEWS JUNE 2023