The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2021

AFSA NEWS 54 JULY-AUGUST 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Foreign Service Day Continued from page 51 Yazdgerdi asked that everyone listening take a moment “to reflect and honor these individuals who lost their lives while serving the American people and defend- ing our interests and values.” Sec. Blinken and Yazdgerdi both paid tribute to two For- eign Service officers, Nathan Lane of State and Mark Mitch- ell of USAID, who died in car accidents in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Lane, who joined the State Department in 2000, died while on temporary duty in Poland. Mitchell died in the country of Georgia. In his tribute to Nathan Lane, Yazdgerdi said that he knew Nathan personally, not- ing that he was “beloved by colleagues for his kindness, generosity and infectious laughter. I will remember Nathan as someone who had a deep desire to learn new things and make a difference.” Lane also served in Mexico, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam and Kenya. Mark Mitchell looked to help others, teaching parenting classes for inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons and immersing himself in USAID assign- ments in Brazil, Djibouti, Afghanistan and Georgia. Including his USAID work, he served the United States for more than 25 years, as a captain in the Army’s intel- ligence branch, at the Bureau of Prisons and at the Defense Intelligence Agency. “His spirit of adventure serves as a reminder for all of us to make the most of our time on this earth,”Yazdgerdi added. In May, AFSA completed a once-in-a-generation expan- sion of the memorial plaques, adding 10 new or replaced plaques to make space for the names of fallen members of the Foreign Service. The expansion includes 69 newly identified historical names to provide a chronologically coherent, dignified com- memoration of our fallen col- leagues. (See the June 2021 Foreign Service Journal, p. 47. ) AFSA Hosts Foreign Service Day Events On the day before Foreign Service Day, AFSA tradition- ally hosts a number of special programs for FS alumni. This year, on May 6, AFSA hosted two webinars: a look at AFSA’s work to promote the interests of the Foreign Service on Capitol Hill, with AFSA Director of Congressio- nal Advocacy Kim Greenplate; and a discussion with two successful ambassador pod- casters about how they do it. Greenplate discussed AFSA’s recent advocacy wins as well as AFSA’s goals for the 117th Congress, includ- ing, among others, promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in the Foreign Service; restor- ing the practice of appoint- ing career Senior FSOs to high-level positions; extend- ing paid leave for medical and caregiving purposes to federal employees; and opposing legislation to reduce pensions of retirees from the foreign affairs agencies. Ambassador (ret.) Pete Romero, host of the Ameri- can Diplomat podcast, and Ambassador (ret.) Debo- rah McCarthy, host of The General and the Ambassador podcast, discussed the ways podcasts can make a differ- ence in communicating what the Foreign Service is, and what we do on behalf of the American people. And for those who might like to try podcasting them- selves, the ambassadors also talked about how they craft their presentations, identify interesting guests and sim- plify complicated stories. AFSAmembers may view recordings of these webinars at afsa.org/video . AFSA Social Media Campaign In connection with Foreign Service Day, AFSA’s outreach team launched a special social media campaign. AFSA asked members to post messages on Twitter and/or Facebook during the week of May 3, expressing why they are #FSProud to be members of the Foreign Ser- vice. AFSA asked that posters use the hashtags #FSProud and #FSDay2021 and tag @afsatweets on Twitter and @afsapage on Facebook). AFSAmembers responded, generating 48,500 tweet impressions on Twitter for the week. “I am #FSProud for 35 years serving the American people in five countries and at the @StateDept. I worked with colleagues in the #Nat- Sec community from a dozen agencies,” tweeted Ambas- sador (ret.) Greg Delawie. “Our employers were varied but our commitment to the Constitution was the same. @afsatweets #FSDay2021” “Today is Foreign Service Day,” tweeted Ambassador (ret.) Bruce Berton. “I was proud to serve my country for 32 years in ten countries as one of America’s diplo- mats. Foreign Service work often goes unnoticed but is vital to US national security. Proud of my colleagues still serving. #FSProud #FSDay2021.” “For 22 years, #FSProud— a privilege & joy to serve as a diplomat @StateDept rep- resenting the US & working alongside other cultures, countries, traditions & creat- ing a greater understanding among our people #Diploma- cyMatters #Diplomacy #For- eignServiceDay #FSDay2021 @afsatweets,” tweeted FSO Chris Teal. Please keep helping us raise awareness by continu- ing to use the #FSProud hashtag. n Ambassador (ret.) Pete Romero, host of the American Diplomat podcast, spoke with AFSAmembers during an AFSA Foreign Service Day webinar on May 6. Ambassador (ret.) Deborah McCarthy, host of the podcast The General and the Ambassador, spoke with AFSA members during an AFSA Foreign Service Day webinar on May 6. SCREENCAPTURE SCREENCAPTURE