The American diplomat killed Saturday was identified as Anne Smedinghoff by her parents. Smedinghoff was recently tasked with assisting Secretary of State John F. Kerry on his trip to Kabul.
Four other State Department officials who were with her, traveling to a school in the southern province of Zabul, were injured in the same bombing, one critically.
Read in full here.
Mr. Londoño also shared the statement from Ms. Smedinghoff’s parents, Tom and Mary Beth Smedinghoff e-mailed to the Washington Post:
Statement from Tom & Mary Beth Smedinghoff
The world lost a truly beautiful soul today. Our daughter, Anne, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, died in the service of her country as she was traveling with a group to deliver books to a local school in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan. She joined the Foreign Service three years ago right out of college and there was no better place for her.
Anne absolutely loved the work she was doing. Her first assignment was in Caracas, Venezuela. She then volunteered for an assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, which she began in July, 2012. Working as a public diplomacy officer, she particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with the Afghan people and was always looking for opportunities to reach out and help to make a difference in the lives of those living in a country ravaged by war. We are consoled knowing that she was doing what she loved, and that she was serving her country by helping to make a positive difference in the world. She was such a wonderful woman–strong, intelligent, independent, and loving. Annie, you left us too soon; we love you and we’re going to miss you so much.
To re-phrase the bard …
Take her and cut her out in little stars,
And she will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
— DS
Related articles
- Chicagoan among 6 Americans killed in Afghan attacks (suntimes.com)
- Taliban Attack Kills US Diplomat, Three NATO Troops and Civilians in Zabul, Afghanistan (diplopundit.net)
- Six NATO personnel killed by Afghan insurgents (abc.net.au)
- AFGHANISTAN BLASTS:6 Americans, Including 3 Troops, Killed in Attacks (foxnews.com)
What a loss to the world. Will this blog alert us to legitimate memorial funds in Anne Smedinghoff’s memory, please?
LF – I’ll try and be in the lookout for that and will pass it along if/when it becomes available.
We’re losing too many good people these days. Let’s hope we’re not posting black ribbon profile pictures again for a very long time….