AFSA NEWS 70 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Service and Sacrifice : Memorial Project Expands Online AFSA recently completed a yearlong project that significantly expanded the AFSA website’s biographical summaries of the 321 fallen colleagues inscribed on the AFSA Memorial Plaques in the Department of State’s C Street lobby. When the original AFSA plaque was unveiled in 1933, Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson told the assembled crowd that its purpose was to show the American people and future Foreign Service members the “spirit of devotion and sacrifice” of those U.S. diplomats and consuls who died in circumstances distinctive to overseas service. For the next 67 years, that testament to service and sacrifice was visible only to those who visited the plaques. In 2000 the plaque inscriptions were posted on AFSA’s recently created website, allowing internet users worldwide to view the names, dates, locations, and causes of death. Fifteen years later, AFSA searched its files and added biographic information on each of the honorees, along with photos of a few. For the recently completed expansion, volunteer researcher FSO Lindsay Henderson researched each of the 321 plaque names in online databases including newspapers.com (for contemporary obituaries and news reports) and ancestry.com (for dates of birth and other biographical information). AFSA Awards and Plaques Committee Chair John Naland added information from sources including The Foreign Service Journal digital archive, State Magazine, and the Department of State Biographic Register (unclassified versions through 1974). The new research expanded most of the biographical summaries from a few sentences to a few paragraphs, adding information on place of birth, education, government service, details of final assignment, and location of burial, along with photos of 86 of the fallen. The result presents a fuller picture of each person, their service to our nation, and their sacrifice. The website expansion was implemented by AFSA Online Communications Manager Jeff Lau. Read about the honorees at https://afsa.org/virtual- afsa-memorial-plaque. n AFSA Welcomes Newest FS Orientation Class On October 21, 2025, AFSA hosted a welcome reception for the September 2025 Foreign Service orientation class at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event brought together 72 members of the incoming class of 100 to connect with AFSA Governing Board members, staff, and alumni hosts. Set up in an open-house format with food and refreshments, the gathering offered new officers and specialists an informal opportunity to connect with AFSA leadership and learn more about the association’s work in support of the Foreign Service. AFSA President John Dinkelman opened the program, which included brief remarks from former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Greg Starr, AFSA State Vice President Ro Nepal, AFSA State Representative Connor FerrySmith, and AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp, who shared their perspectives on AFSA’s advocacy, legal services, and member benefits. While AFSA was not included in the official orientation schedule this year— for the first time in many decades—the event provided a valuable opportunity to welcome the new class and highlight AFSA’s mission of protecting and strengthening the Foreign Service. Many of the attendees chose to join AFSA as members. Those who were unable to attend are encouraged to reach out to AFSA at member@afsa.org to learn more about membership and upcoming events. To sign up online, go to https://afsa.org/ active-membership. n Former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Greg Starr delivers remarks to the incoming class of Foreign Service members alongside Ro Nepal (left) and John Dinkelman (center). AFSA/MARK PARKHOMENKO
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