THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2026 57 AFSA NEWS Continued on page 58 the past year, adding: “We have faced marginalization, disruption, and attacks on our professionalism.” But he also spoke of the resilience that defines the community: “We are people who don’t quit. We are professionals who keep showing up for America, and for each other.” Closing his recorded message, Dinkelman affirmed AFSA’s century-long commitment: “We are proud to stand with you as we have for more than 100 years—and for many years to come.” Foreign Service Day ceremony attendees hold a moment of silence outside of the State Department’s C Street lobby entrance. FS Day Continued from page 53 AFSA/MARK PARKHOMENKO Staff at U.S. Embassy Algiers gather to observe the 2026 rolling moment of silence on May 1. U.S. EMBASSY ALGIERS A Plaque Ceremony Without the Plaques The tradition of gathering at the memorial plaques on Foreign Service Day stretches back nearly a century. AFSA conceived of such an “Honor Roll,” campaigned successfully for its creation, and has served as owner and steward of the memorial since the original tablet was unveiled by Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson on March 3, 1933, under authority of a Joint Resolution of Congress. In the months leading up to this year’s Foreign Service Day, AFSA reached out numerous times to department leadership but received no response from State about co-hosting the event as has been done for decades. (As it turned out, following negative press about State’s decision to deny AFSA access to the plaques for a ceremony, on May 1 morning, the State Department announced plans to host its own event at AFSA’s plaques the following Monday. AFSA was not invited to participate in that ceremony.) Dinkelman presided over the Foreign Service Day memorial ceremony at AFSA headquarters and addressed the shift in venue: “The institution entrusted with the United States Foreign Service
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