THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2023 59 AFSA NEWS AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION Washington Nationals Honor U.S. Foreign Service CALENDAR Please check www.afsa.org for the most up-to-date information. November 10 Veterans Day AFSA offices closed November 13-December 11 Federal Health Benefits Open Season November 15 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting November 16 Time TBD Webinar: 2024 FEHB Insurance & Benefits November 23-24 Thanksgiving Holiday AFSA offices closed December 4 AFSA Scholarship Applications Available December 6 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting December 25 Christmas Day AFSA offices closed January 1 New Year’s Day AFSA offices closed January 17 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting Secretary Blinken with AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi and AFSA State VP Tina Wong. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Continued on page 62 Reviving a popular annual tradition for the Foreign Service community, AFSA and the Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball team, hosted Foreign Service Night at Nationals Park on Sept. 22. More than 400 members of the Foreign Service and their families attended to watch the Nationals take on the Atlanta Braves just hours before Tropical Storm Ophelia hit the region. Although the Nationals lost with a final score of 9-6, history was made when the Braves’ AFSA Meets with Secretary Blinken On Sept. 28, AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi and AFSA State Vice President Tina Wong met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, covering the top issues and priorities affecting Foreign Service members, including State Department appropriations in a time of fiscal constraint, the ambassadorial nominations process, and Foreign Service reform. n PHOTOS BY AFSA/DONNA GORMAN
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