The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2023 63 AFSA NEWS Foreign Service Day Remembrances and Activities During the AFSA Memorial Ceremony on Foreign Service Day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) and AFSA President Eric Rubin hang the remembrance wreath in front of the memorial plaques in the State Department’s C Street lobby. U.S.DEPARTMENTOFSTATE Secretary of State Antony Blinken embraces a family member of Foreign Service Specialist Elbridge Lee, who died after contracting COVID-19 at post overseas. JOAQUINSOSA In a moving Foreign Service Day memorial ceremony on May 5, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and AFSA President Eric Rubin deliv- ered remarks honoring For- eign Service personnel who died in the line of duty. The State Department’s commemoration of the 58th annual Foreign Service Day took place in person in the C Street lobby before the AFSA Memorial Plaques. The plaques bear the names of 321 U.S. diplomats and con- sular officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. This year, a new bronze plaque was unveiled on the southeastern end of the lobby, memorializing those in the FS community who lost their lives due to COVID-19, contracted while serving at post overseas. Honoring Service and Sacrifice Specifically honored at the event were Foreign Service members Elbridge Lee (New Delhi) and Thomas J. Wallis (Lima), both of whom died from the illness in 2021. Moments before the ceremony began, Secretary Blinken and Ambassador Rubin held a private and tearful meeting with the families of both colleagues. One family member said she would remember the day for the rest of her life. In remarks opening the event, Amb. Rubin expressed his admiration and gratitude for FS members. “In some of the most challenging and dangerous places in the world, they are the nation’s first line of defense against threats to our security and economic well-being,” he noted. “Each day, the Foreign Service is charged with this challeng- ing work, which its members carry out with unparalleled courage, dedication, and professionalism.” “You represent the best America has to offer, and we are proud of you,” he said. U.S. embassy staff in Amman observe a moment of silence to honor fallen colleagues on Foreign Service Day. U.S.EMBASSYAMMAN The cascade of FS Day moments of silence continues around the world as embassy staff in Mogadishu (above) and Beijing pay their respects to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. U.S.EMBASSYBEIJING U.S.EMBASSYMOGADISHU