The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2011

A F S A N E W S 52 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / J U L Y - A UGU S T 2 0 1 1 CLASSIFIEDS Unaccompanied but Not Alone BY GABRIELLE HAMPSON, COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH OFFICER, FAMILY LIAISON OFFICE M any Foreign Service families are separated when employees are assigned to a post where family members may not accompany them. This separation creates hardship for all membersof the family, but canbe especially difficult for children. They must grapple with feelings of isolation and loss, as well as live in a community that may not real- ize that aparent isnot only absent, but serv- ing in a high-risk environment. To recognize the sacrifices children makewhen their parents serve at anunac- companiedpost, the Family LiaisonOffice distributesmedals andcertificates of recog- nition toForeignService childrenup to the age of 21. The awards are given at a vari- etyof venues: the child’s end-of-year school celebrations; at ceremonies at overseasmis- sions; by a local public official; or at the annual Youth Awards Ceremony held in the StateDepartment’s BenjaminFranklin Diplomatic Reception Room. “Without the support of my family, I wouldneverhavebeenable tosurvivemen- tally. My family is the truehero,” says Jason Banks, who recently returned froma one- year assignment toPakistan. Banks nom- inated his 5-year-old son, Matthew, for a medal. Because they are unable to attend the mid-July award ceremony inWashington, Banks contacted the mayor of his home- town, Frisco, Texas. The mayor present- edMatthewwithhis award at a recent city council meeting. Since establishing the programin2006, FLO has distributed more than 2,000 awards and certificates to children. This recognitionprogramis nowavailable to all foreign affairs agency employees serving permanent change-of-station or long- term TDY assignments at designated unaccompanied or limited accompanied posts. All eligible Foreign Service, Civil Service andLocallyEngagedStaff employ- ees may submit nominations. To request amedal for your child, you may download a nomination form from FLO’s unaccompanied toursWeb page at www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c14521.htm. For additional information please e-mail FLOAskUT@state.gov. Proud parents Denise and Jason Banks watch as their sonMatthew receives a StateDepartment medal. LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY WITH 30 years’ successful experience SPECIALIZING FULL-TIME IN FS GRIEVANCES will more than double your chance of winning: 30%of grievantswin before the Grievance Board; 85% of my clients win. Only a private attorney can adequately devel- op and present your case, including neces- sary regs, arcane legal doctrines, precedents and rules. Call Bridget R. 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