The Foreign Service Journal, October 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2021 67 AFSA NEWS AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION Please check www.afsa.org for the most up-to-date information. October 4 AFSA welcomes members of the 208th A-100 and 162nd Specialist classes October 11 Columbus Day: AFSA offices closed October 13 12:15-1 p.m. AFSA Meets with Job Search Program participants October 19 4-6 p.m. AFSA Virtual Awards Ceremony October 20 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting November 4 12-1 p.m. Webinar: 2022 FEHB Insurance and Benefits, including Medicare coordination November 8 – December 13 Federal Health Benefits Open Season November 11 Veterans Day: AFSA offices closed November 17 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting November 25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday: AFSA offices closed CALENDAR AFSA Statement on Afghanistan STATEDEPARTMENT A photo board with photos of Anne Smedinghoff, a Foreign Service officer killed in Afghanistan, stands in front of the AFSAmemorial plaques in the Harry S Truman Building on the day of her wake, April 16, 2013. Americans and Afghan allies who were in danger. Our diplomats will now focus their efforts, along with our friends and allies around the world, The end to America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan brings a wave of emotion to thou- sands of our Foreign Service colleagues, both active-duty and retired: those who served there, those who worked on Afghanistan policy and assistance, and those who participated in the whole-of- government effort to protect our country from another 9/11. AFSA wants to recognize the work of our members, our colleagues and friends who dedicated years of their professional lives to America’s effort in Afghanistan. It is equally important to recognize that, while our diplomats are no longer physically in the country, they continue working to bring to safety the small number of remaining American citizens who wish to leave. They have worked tire- lessly to evacuate our fellow on keeping the Taliban to the promises they made. We lost treasured Foreign Service and Foreign Service National colleagues and remember with deep respect and appreciation the several thousand U.S. service mem- bers who lost their lives and many more who came home grievously injured, physically and emotionally. We will never forget the dedication and service of the members of the Foreign Ser- vice, Afghan and third-country colleagues. We will not forget our three Foreign Service col- leagues who gave their lives while serving in Afghanistan, whose names are carved into AFSA’s memorial walls at State: Anne Smedinghoff, Ragaei Abdelfattah and Ste- ven Thomas Stefani. And we will never forget the sacrifice of the more than 2,000 U.S. service members who gave their lives in Afghanistan. n Help for Former Mission Afghanistan Local Staff Donate to the FSN Emergency Relief Fund AFSA has received multiple inquiries from members asking how they can assist our former Locally Employed staff (still known as FSNs) in Afghanistan. The following is infor- mation from the State Department on the Foreign Service National Emergency Relief Fund and how members can contribute. Please note that LE staff in other coun- tries and private-sector employees can contribute, as well. All contributions to the fund are tax-deductible. Online. Secure online electronic dona- tions can be made directly from your bank account or by credit/debit card via pay. gov. When there, search for “State Depart- ment” and then select “Global Financial Services.” Checks. Please send checks to the State Department’s Gift Fund Coordinator, M/EDCS, Room 1821, 2201 C Street NW, Washington DC 20520. Make checks payable to the U.S. Department of State, designation for the FSN Emergency Relief Fund. Continued on page 71