The Foreign Service Journal, October 2004

nizing the differences between volun- teers and Foreign Service officers. He was always eager to visit volunteers, but learned to do so quietly. He even circumvented the regulation that excluded ambassadors from writing Peace Corps directors’ efficiency reports. Instead, he wrote a long (and complimentary) open cable to the Peace Corps about my performance, a wonderful twist that certainly helped my later Foreign Service career. But the most lasting and embar- rassing memory was the discussion we had one day about security viola- tions just before country team. As Amb. Horan entered the room, I was declaring that anyone who observed a “clean desk policy” clear- ly didn’t have enough to do. My col- league poked me and said that the ambassador was famous for his clean desk. Never one to take himself too seriously, Amb. Horan laughed heartily when I apologized later. I will always remember the delight that he and his wife took in the openness of Cameroon society, especially in contrast to the Saudi Arabia they had just left. Constance J. Freeman FSO, retired Regional Director, East and Southern Africa International Development Research Center (Canada) Nairobi, Kenya A J OY AND P RIVILEGE TO W ORK W ITH I was saddened to hear about Amb. Horan’s death. I was his secretary in Jeddah, where the embassy was then located, from 1971 to 1972. Amb. Horan was the youngest DCM in the Foreign Service at the time. I was continually amazed by his intelligence, sense of humor, his interest in and concern for others, and his linguistic abilities. He had not been at post very long, when one day I was away from my desk for a short while. I came back in and heard spoken Arabic coming from his office. I rushed in, worried that someone had come in to his office while I was away. I was amazed to see him leaning back in his chair with his feet on his desk chattering away in flu- ent Arabic. That was the beginning of my realization of how special he was. Over the years, we would occasionally run into each other in Washington and have lunch. He would always have news of those who were at post with us during that time. Such a memory he had! I know you will receive many trib- utes to him, so I won’t go into long sto- ries about what a joy and privilege it was to work with him. He was a supreme example of an American diplomat. He is sorely missed already. Anna J. Thomas Management Assistant Embassy Ankara O C T O B E R 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 69 * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * Luxurious Suites All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops Fitness center Complimentary in-room coffee Full service restaurant Parking available Across fromMain State White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com