The Foreign Service Journal, June 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 47 AFSA NEWS CALENDAR June 7 12-1:30 p.m. AFSAGoverning Board Meeting June 8 8 a.m. AFSA Election Voting Deadline June 11-16 AFSA Road Scholar Program: “Foreign Policy for the 21st Century” Chautauqua, N.Y. June 20 4-6 p.m. AFSA Awards Ceremony July 4 Independence Day: AFSA Offices Closed AFSA members, staff and guests listen to AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speak at a reception held at the association’s headquarters building. AFSA/GEMMADVORAK AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks at the association’s memorial ceremony on Foreign Service Day. Service are serving overseas. Inviting those at the ceremony to join in a moment of silence, Amb. Stephenson noted that many embassies and consul- ates around the world—from Apia, Samoa, to Libreville, Gabon—had also held their own ceremonies honoring their Foreign Service col- leagues (see page 58.) Following the presentation of the colors by the United States Armed Forces Color Guard, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson paid tribute to those named on the AFSAmemo- rial plaques.“Each of these names represents a unique, individual life,” the Secretary said.“These men and women had families and loved ones they left behind, dreams unlived, plans unrealized.” While there is inherent risk to the work of the Foreign Service in advancing Ameri- ca’s interests, he continued, diplomats and foreign affairs professionals choose to serve, even knowing that risk: “These 248 men and women died as they lived, in service to others. Today, the department honors their memory and contribu- tions, and a grateful nation expresses profound apprecia- tion for their courage and their commitment.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, a wreath was placed at the memo- rial plaque, as a moment of silence was observed. AFSAwas honored by the presence of major news media, including the Washing- ton Post , The NewYork Times and CNN, as we reintroduced the Foreign Service and provided a timely reminder that the Stars and Stripes flies high in 270 locations around the world thanks to the men and women of the Foreign Service. Following the memorial event at the Department of State, AFSA held a reception at the AFSA headquarters building where Amb. Stephen- son welcomed close to 100 members and guests. In remarks to the group, she reminded them that 90 percent of Americans support strong American global lead- ership and that global leader- ship is unthinkable without a strong, professional Foreign Service deployed around the world. Amb. Stephenson con- firmed that the Foreign Ser- vice stands ready to deliver diplomatic wins for the United States and for the American people, noting that two-thirds of current FS members joined after the tragic Sept. 11, 2001, attack. n —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor July 5 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting July 7 10 a.m -12 p.m. FSYF Youth Awards Ceremony July 13 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Book Notes: Enemy of the Good July 15 New Governing Board Takes Office August 1-3 AFSA at Minnesota Farm Fest Redwood Falls, Minn.