The Foreign Service Journal, May 2004

before assigning someone to me.) Tom became completely abreast of the situation, arranged for the French to take proper care of me, and called my folks in Georgia. In a word, he was wonderful. Furthermore, he contacted the hotel and prompted them to watch over my stored lug- gage, thus helping to alleviate some worries. Beyond the call of duty, Tom visited regularly, lifting my spirits. On most days, another staffer telephoned to provide updates on negotiations she conducted with the French government and the hospi- tal over the incident. Karen was car- ing and attentive, exactly what a young man needs in a foreign land under those dreadful circumstances. Not speaking French, I was like a helpless dog at the vet. The embassy even explained the opera- tions performed on me, after con- sulting with the surgeons. After eight memorable days, I was allowed to leave the hospital. An uncle in the U.S. worked out a return flight, if only I could reach the air- port. Voila! Along came Tom again. I was wheelchair-bound, and he pushed me and some bags through the hallways, negotiated with the hos- pital bureaucrats, and got me into a taxi with him. After securing my lug- gage at the hotel, Tom directed the driver to a special section of Charles de Gaulle Airport. He wheeled me inside, made some contacts, and then whisked me through special security and onto the plane, well ahead of time. He even explained the circum- stances to the flight attendants so I’d be given special care. A day after I got home, Karen again called to see about me. She and Tom were also gathering all the nec- essary paperwork I’d need to settle things with the French, and I received it promptly. The moral of this entire episode is twofold and simple. First, employ- M A Y 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 9 L E T T E R S