"Thank you for serving your country," said the visiting doctor to me last week. I was surprised, confused, then touched. I hadn't considered the Foreign Service to be the same type of service as the military (and yeah, they're quite different), with which I normally associate that phrase, but we are indeed serving our country and promoting America's interests abroad: freedom, the rule of law, cessation or suspension of hostilities, social justice, economic opportunities, not letting terrorists into the country, taking care of visiting or expat Americans, and lots more. There are some intense sacrifices that we make in order to be in the Foreign Service—and the whole family makes them.
Which is why what Republican candidate Rick Perry said has diplomats up in arms—but only figuratively speaking, because we also promote peace, duh.
I highly recommend reading this post about the subject. It is written by Donna, the spouse of a Foreign Service Officer, and I liked it. We're certainly not in this for the money, and we're certainly not in this for the dengue epidemic currently happening in Majuro.
Just because you don't see us doesn't mean we aren't working on your behalf.
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3 comments:
Oh yes! The Foreign Service does a great service for our nation! We are sooo thankful for everything that you guys are doing!
Thanks for link! And watch out for the dengue fever....
We are so proud of our family in the Marshall Islands. God bless all 3 of you for your hard, selfless work you are about every day. You are saints in red, white and blue.
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