The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

itants enjoying the extended benefits of a global career. RNet is about continu- ity from active employment through active retirement.” Visit the site at www.rnet.state.gov. Dlouhy played the key role in work- ing with AFSA to produce a statement of mutual expectations and rights, outlin- ing what Foreign Service employees and retirees should expect fromthe retire- ment branch and what the retirement branch should expect from Foreign Service employees and retirees. This agreement sets out goals for better ser- vice and, if followed, will go a long way toward giving retirees the service they need and deserve. The rights for employ- ees and retirees include courteous and timely responses to inquiries and requests for assistance; access to retirement records that are accurate and complete; an interactive, easy-to-use Web site that provides annuity statement information and allows users to performmost trans- actions online. “I need to make sure that all of us, Civil Service and Foreign Service, get that pot of gold at the end of the career rain- bow— a good, secure retirement,” says Dlouhy. “Our department leadership is fully committed and there are good peo- ple here trying to make that happen. AFSA’s award is a recognition of this commitment and the contributions that many people aremaking. I am just wav- ing a baton around trying to get the notes right on a new score.” AFSA applauds DavidDlouhy for tak- ing on this difficult assignment and for all that he has accomplished in a short time to improve retirement-related ser- vices to Foreign Service employees and retirees. Dlouhy has previously served in Conakry, Santiago, San Salvador, Luxem- bourg, La Paz andWashington, and has held a number of special positions, inclu- ding U.S. Representative to the Council for Bosnia-Herzegovina Dayton Peace Agreement and Special Adviser to the Director General/Diplomatic Readi- ness Task Force.  JULY-AUGUST 2005 • AFSA NEWS 9 AFSA President John Limbert gave remarks and introduced Under Secretary of State forPoliticalAffairsNicholasBurns, who was representing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because she was travel- ing. HereadamessagefromPresidentBush and paid his respects to the families of the three employees. Edward J. Seitz was a Diplomatic Security special agent serving as the assis- tant regional security officer for Embassy Baghdad when he was killed in October 2004 by a rocket attack on a military base near the Baghdad airport. James Mollen was murdered by terrorists in November 2004, while serving as Embassy Baghdad’s senior consultant to the Iraqi ministries of education and higher education. John O’Grady lost his life in June 1960, inanair- plane crash off the coast of Queensland, Australia, while serving as the U.S. consul inBrisbane. (His namewas added in2005 because of a subsequent change to the criteria for inscription on the plaques.) A United States Armed Forces Color Guard presented the colors at the solemn ceremony. Family members of the men honoredwere inattendanceandweregreet- ed by Under Secretary Burns and State Director General W. Robert Pearson. Others in attendance were Representative Sander Levin, D-Mich., Embassy of Australia’sMinisterCounselor andConsul General John McAnulty, Trade and InvestmentCommissioner for theQueens- land government in the U.S. Bob Gibbs, Deputy Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service Thomas Moore, andDeputyAssistant Secretary for International Operations of the Foreign& Commercial Service Barry Friedman. Other Foreign Affairs Day Activities Prior to the plaque ceremony, Under Secretary Burns gave the keynote address to the nearly 500 Foreign Service andCivil Service retirees attending Foreign Affairs Day. After the plaque ceremony, partici- pants chose among various seminars on regional and global issues led by State Department officials. Inapresentation toForeignAffairsDay participants, Retirement Office Director David Dlouhy introduced the RNet Web site. TheRNet site seeks tohelp reconnect retirees to the department and to provide information on retirement issues. AFSA staff greeted ForeignAffairs Day participants and gave out complimentary tote bags and copies of the Foreign Service Journal aswell as informationaboutmany AFSA programs of interest to retirees. Following the conclusion of Foreign Affairs Day, AFSA held a reception at the Foreign Service Club for attendees. During the reception, AFSA honored scholarship recipients, many of whom were present to receive their certificates. By presenting scholarships to Foreign Service children during a day honoring retirees, AFSAhelps bring the generations of future, current and past Foreign Service members together.  Brothers and nephews of James Mollen. Family of John O’Grady. From left: Brenda O’Grady Liistro (daughter), Elsie O’Grady (widow), Brian O’Grady (son) and Michael O’Grady (grandson). Foreign Affairs Day • Continued from page 1 Achievement Award • Continued from page 8 Director General W. Robert Pearson (left) greets Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich. and Alba Seitz, mother of Edward Seitz. PHOTOS: JAY MALLIN