The Foreign Service Journal, May 2016

the Foreign Service journal | may 2016 37 W e began preparing this issue of The Journal in January, with a broadcast message to retired and former members of the Foreign Service requesting input on the “afterlife.” We asked members to reflect on what they wished they had known earlier about retirement and what advice they would give their younger selves on planning for it. We asked what they wish they had known before joining the Foreign Service. And we asked them to tell us about their interesting post-FS lives, includ- ing advice for others who may want to take a similar path. The response was quick and abundant. We received more than 45 thoughtful essays—far too many to publish in one month, so we have included some here and will feature the rest in an upcoming issue. We thank all those who took the time to write. As you will see, these fascinating commentaries are testimony to the great variety of meaningful paths open to individuals who have made a career in the Foreign Service. Whether you just joined the Service, are paddling along at mid-level, or negotiating the senior threshold—you are sure to find these stories inspiring and insightful. Enjoy! —The Editors Volunteering for Disaster Response By Earl Manno i a A fter retiring in 2000, I was still doing work for the State Department four years later when my wife, Breda, and I began doing volunteer work for the American Red Cross. We were fascinated by the work, and felt it would provide us with the chal- lenges and opportunities we wanted in retirement. We were living in our new home at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Within six months we were the Disaster Action Team leaders for our county. In that capacity we What We’re Doing Now FOCUS On Life after the foreign service Earl Mannoia COURTESYOFEarlMannoia