This month we will focus on two unsung heroes of the United States Diplomatic Corps. The intelligence and state departments have been intimately connected since the very beginning of the United States. Many case officers, assume covers as State Department officials (i.e., 2nd Secretary of Cultural Affairs) or serve in both capacities with some duties as case officers and some as diplomatic officers. The DIA has an over position, Defense Attaché, that serves in every embassy. These men, as far we know, were not connected with the intelligence community but served their country with dignity, and honor, and gave their lives for others.
October Theme: Faithfulness (Semper Fidelis)
Laurence Foley, FSO (KIA 28 OCT 2002)
ON October 28 at 7:30 AM local time, just after his 60th birthday on 6 OCT, career Foreign Service Officer Laurence Foley was assassinated by two gunmen on the orders of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an Islamist leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda in Iraq, in Amman, Jordan. Mr. Foley began his public service career with a stint in the Peace Corps in India in 1965. By the mid-1970s, the Boston native had moved to Oakland, Calif., and was counseling juvenile offenders. He was back at the Peace Corps in the Philippines in the early 1980s, helping to run its operations there. By the late 1980s, he was involved with USAID with whom he served until the day he died. The day before his death, Mr. Foley received an Achievement Award from USAID and the Ambassador’s Office in Jordan for bringing clean drinking water to more Jordanians, rehabilitating healthcare centers, and running a small-business loan service. While not the main target, per supposed confessions of the murderers to Jordanian authorities, Mr. Foley, living without security, was an easier target. Mr. Foley gave his life in the service of others by an enemy of America. He is honored on the Foreign Service Honor Roll by the American Foreign Service Association.
DSS Special Agent Edward Seitz (KIA 24 October 2002)
During an attack on Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Special Agent Edward Seitz of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) was killed in action by a mortar fired from Iraqi militants. After the embassy bombing in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1998, Special Agent Seitz used every bit of his resourcefulness to shepherd desperately needed equipment from the United States into the devastated U.S. Embassy site, then, upon arrival, took over guard duties so those on the ground could finally get some rest. Known for his tireless work ethic, genuine love for others, and professionalism, Special Agent Seitz left a mark on all that knew him. Known for his signature white wide brimmed hat, Agent Seitz wore it so people knew he was a federal agent and he was there to help. After his death, a DSS camp was named Camp Seitz in Kabul, Afghanistan near the Embassy.
October Challenges - Faithfulness
Each month, we will have a physical and mental challenge as we work to become better and more resilient people.
To remember these two men, we are going to practice being faithful - faithful to a routine that makes us better people. Both of these men lived their lives in service to others and sacrificed them while serving our country.
Physical Challenge
Ruck with min. 20lbs for 4 miles 5 times
Last month we rucked at least 1 mile each day, this month we are doing less weight but are upping our distance. If you have trouble with the distance, work your way up to it with 2 miles and then 3 miles. The goal isn’t the distance but the act of pushing ourselves to be better & build our resilience for whether we are stalking the streets of Moscow or walking with our kids, we are stronger mentally and physically.
Mental Challenge
Journal daily in the evening
Self-reflection and remembering both our low and high points during the day is important for our growth as people. It’s easy to live life day-to-day without much reflection but the great men in history have shown that taking the time to journal allows one to gather your thoughts and recognize areas to improve and be thankful for the good. This month our challenge is to journal daily in the evenings with a special emphasis on areas we are or can work to be more faithful.
Make sure to tag if you are participating and use social media with
#TheCompany & #TheCompanyWOD
Please share this post or the Preppy Statesman with anybody that is interested. This content will always be free and I promise not to spam!