Former Foreign Service Officer honors unsung diplomats at AFSA event

The Foreign Affairs Day Celebration held on May 3, 2025, commenced with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the contributions made by retired foreign service officers (FSOs). The speaker, accepting an award, emphasized the importance of recognizing the unsung heroes of the foreign service—those who have served diligently behind the scenes without seeking recognition.

The speaker highlighted the professionalism and dedication of these FSOs, who have often gone unnoticed while fulfilling their duties. They expressed pride in representing the United States, regardless of the prominence of their assignments, and underscored the intrinsic rewards of their careers, which included the privilege of serving the nation’s interests abroad.

A significant portion of the address focused on the challenges faced by many FSOs in recent years, particularly those who have been overlooked for promotions and assignments due to what the speaker described as extreme diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies. The speaker criticized these policies as fundamentally unfair and contrary to the principles of meritocracy established by the 1980 Foreign Service Act. In response to these challenges, the speaker mentioned the formation of the Ben Franklin Fellowship, a nonpartisan organization aimed at advocating for a merit-based diplomatic corps and promoting American sovereignty.

The celebration also included a call to honor the contributions of unsung heroes through the AFSA Memorial Wall, which serves as a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. The speaker encouraged attendees to visit the memorial and explore the stories of the individuals commemorated there, emphasizing the importance of remembering their sacrifices.

In conclusion, the speaker urged all present to celebrate American diplomacy and the privilege of representing the nation, before transitioning to introduce the keynote speaker for the event.