The Foreign Service Journal, June 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2019 41 AFSA NEWS AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION AFSA Honors Fallen Colleagues On May 3, the American Foreign Service Associa- tion again hosted its annual memorial ceremony to honor those diplomats and development professionals who have given their lives in service abroad. AFSA Presi- dent Ambassador Barbara Stephenson presided, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered remarks at the event. The tradition of gathering at AFSA’s memorial plaques to honor fallen colleagues dates back more than 80 years. This year, no new names were added to the memo- rial plaques. But as Amb. Stephenson noted in her remarks, the 250 names etched into the marble plaques are evidence of the risks of the profession. “We should not expect this to become the norm,” Amb. Stephenson said. “AFSA has had the honor of presiding over this ceremony for eight decades. We intend to continue to do so in the years to come, as we carry on with our mission to deploy abroad to protect and serve America’s people, interests and values. Inevitably, our service carries risks, but we accept those risks because we are in no doubt about the importance of our mission to our security and prosperity here at home.” AFSA was honored to have Ambassador Carol Perez, Director General of the June 12 AFSA Governing Board Election – Ballots Due/ Ballots Counted June 13 Next Stage: Careers in the Private Sector June 19 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting June 27 4:30-6:30 p.m. AFSA Summer Happy Hour July 4 Independence Day – AFSA Offices Closed July 15 2019-2021 AFSA Governing Board Takes Office July 17 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting August 21 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting August 30 Job Search Program Graduation Reception at FSI September 2 Labor Day – AFSA Offices Closed September 13 7:05 p.m. Fourth Annual Foreign Service Night at Nationals Park CALENDAR Foreign Service; FSI Director Ambassador Daniel B. Smith; and USAID Counselor Chris Milligan in the audience. In addition, many senior Foreign Service colleagues attended, including Ambassador David Satterfield (NEA), Ambas- sador Marcia Bernicat (OES) and Patrick Murphy (EAP). Numerous respected Foreign Service retir- ees also joined us for the occasion, including Ambassadors Ruth Davis, Ronald E. Neumann, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens as AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson addresses the audience. Foreign Service members and their families attend the AFSA Memorial Ceremony May 3. AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA Continued on page 43