Unaccompanied, But Not Alone: Diplomacy at Home for the
Holidays - DIPNOTE
(U.S. Department of State Official Blog)
December 24, 2015
The nature of diplomacy has changed
since the events of September 11, 2001. Today, a number of State Department
employees serve around the world in roles where their jobs and living
situations lack many of the simple creature comforts and normalcy we are generally
accustomed to. And in many cases, for matters of safety and security, these
employees are asked to serve in difficult circumstances without their loved
ones nearby. The individuals who choose to serve on unaccompanied tours –
whether in Kabul, Islamabad, Baghdad or any number of other high-risk posts –
are doing an amazing service for our country.
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Holiday ornaments hang on a
Christmas tree in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.,
December 3, 2014
|
As we approach this holiday season,
we are reminded of the importance of keeping the children and families of our
diplomats serving on unaccompanied tours in our thoughts. Although these family
members are not deployed themselves, they – like loved ones – are serving their
country and also deserve our thanks for the sacrifices they make in the name of
diplomacy.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
poses for a photo with the families of U.S. government employees on assignment
at unaccompanied posts around the world, who endure long periods of separation
from their loved ones, even at the holidays, at the annual Unaccompanied Tour
Holiday Family Reception at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.,
on December 16, 2015. [State Department photo]
|
This sentiment is the driving force
behind the Office of the Chief of Protocol’s annual holiday reception for these
important members of the State Department family. It allows us to extend our
thanks in person for the sacrifices these family members are asked to make when
their loved ones take on duties that require them to be apart for extended
periods of time. Secretary Kerry captured the sentiment well in his remarks
last week when he said, “I express my personal, deepest affection for and
gratitude to every single one of you for serving your country the way you do.
It’s a remarkable gift, and we treasure it.”
This year, we were proud to host a
performance by three members of the Tony Award®-winning Broadway hit “Matilda
the Musical.” It excited us to see the joy in the eyes of the children in
attendance as they decorated craft keepsake boxes to preserve their most
treasured items for sharing with their parents upon return from their tours
abroad. Our annual reception is only one way the State Department recognizes
the sacrifices of these children while their loved ones are serving abroad. As
Secretary Kerry noted, “We aim to help people through difficult times here at
the Department.”
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| The cast of the Tony Award®-winning
Broadway hit Matilda, the Musical, performs the popular song
"Naughty," at the annual Unaccompanied Tours Holiday Reception at the
U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on December 16, 2015. The holiday
reception honors the families of U.S. government employees on assignment at
unaccompanied posts around the world, who endure long periods of separation
from their loved ones, even at the holidays. [State Department photo] |
Through the Medals and Certificates
Program, the Family Liaison Office (FLO) has arranged for nearly 6,500 medals
to be awarded to children as symbols of our appreciation for their service to
our country. The medals are a tangible recognition that children are doing
their part here at home while their parents serve this country abroad. FLO also
provides year-round support to these families through workshops, counseling and
coping skills sessions, networking activities, and offers online resources to
support the unique challenges parents and children involved in unaccompanied
tours may face.
I join Secretary Kerry and the
broader State Department family in expressing my personal, deepest affection
for and gratitude to the growing number of employees and families who are
separated during unaccompanied tours. Know that you are in our thoughts today
and every day of the year, and we wish you a joyous holiday and happy New Year.
