The Foreign Service Journal, June 2009

O n ForeignAffairs Day, held on May 1, the AFSA Me- morial Plaque ceremony honored those Foreign Service personnel who lost their lives overseas while in the service of their country. This year, three of the four names added to the plaques in the State Department C Street lobby — Edmund Roberts, ThomasW.Waldron and F. R. Engdahl — were those of FSOs from America’s past, in- cluding two of our country’s ear- liest diplomats. Roberts and Waldron served in Southeast Asia in the early 19th century and both died, at different times, in Macau. From the 20th century came the name of F. R. Engdahl, an FSO posted toHong Kong who was captured by the Japanese in 1941. The fourth name added to the plaque this year was that of Brian Ad- kins, a gifted young first-tour officer who died tragically and violently in Ethiopia in January. The presence at the ceremony of so many young friends and colleagues of Mr. Adkins served as “a testament to the impact that Brian had on everyone whose lives he touched,” AFSA President John Naland said in his opening remarks. He next presided over the presentation of the colors by the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard, who stood solemnly, their flags highlighted against the international flags lining the atrium windows above them. Following the Pledge of Alle- giance, Naland introduced Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Sec. Clinton first spoke directly and emotionally to the Adkins family, relay- ing condolences on their loss on behalf of the Foreign Service community. She then read a message from President Barack Obama, in which he honored all diplomats who have fallen in the line of duty, noting that“danger is not just con- fined to war zones.” Turning to the plaques, Sec. Clinton called thema reminder of “the gravity of the work we do here.” She spoke about all fourmenwhose inscribed names were unveiled at the ceremony, but endedwith a tribute to BrianAdkins, remarking that the“smart, talented and generous young man” was “everything his country looks for in a Foreign Service officer.” J U N E 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 43 American Foreign Service Association • June 2009 AFSA NEWS Continued on page 50 FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAY 2009 Memorial Plaque Ceremony Honors Diplomats of Old — And One Too Young BY FRANCESCA KELLY AFSA Headquarters Reopens Story page 49 Front entry, AFSA Headquarters. Secretary Hillary Clinton speaks at the AFSA Memorial Plaque Ceremony, flanked by the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard (right), as AFSA President John Naland looks on, May 1. MIKKELA THOMPSON SHAWN DORMAN