Foreign Service invaluable to U.S.

AS I WRITE these words, over 16,000 members of the United States Foreign Service are serving our country around the world. America’s diplomats and development professionals help prevent the spread of conflict, open markets for U.S. goods, assist Americans abroad, negotiate agreements in line with U.S. goals, report on threats to the U.S. homeland and work alongside our military colleagues on a range of missions, from stabilizing Iraq to earthquake relief in Haiti. Few of my fellow citizens realize how challenging and important the work of the Foreign Service is to our nation. I proudly served in the Foreign Service for 17 years with the State Department.

Many are not aware that in 1996 the United States Senate designated the first Friday in May as “American Foreign Service Day.” It is on this day that members of the Foreign Service, active and retired, from around the world and here at home come together to recognize and celebrate the thousands of people who commit and have committed their lives to serving the U.S. abroad and the impact their work has on us all.

Our beautiful state is home to approximately 300 retired Foreign Service members and their families. I can only hope that America’s diplomats, and the important work they do, (are) in your thoughts. .... It is also my hope that my fellow countrymen take ... time to get to know the Foreign Service, learn about what we do and realize the indispensable role these extraordinary patriots play in protecting and serving America’s people, interests and values.

I will be attending the celebration in Washington, D.C. JUAN BECERRA Rio Rancho

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