WaPo shared statement from fallen U.S. diplomat Anne Smedinghoff's parents

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Last edited Mon Apr 8, 2013, 08:28 AM - Edit history (1)

tweeted by, Ernesto Londoño ?@londonoe 7h
I'm sharing the statement from fallen U.S. diplomat Anne Smedinghoff's parents, Tom and Mary Beth. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bXx96KOQ6iPliRNU7aTY2t0o06Ns7_RYqb9kTf49Ydo/edit …
statement e-mailed-to/retweeted by The Washington Post

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.

Tom & Mary Beth Smedinghoff

related:

Afghan attack that kills US diplomat, troops marks deadly day
http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/afghanistan/afghan-attack-that-kills-us-diplomat-troops-marks-deadly-day-1.215446

David Axelrod ?@davidaxelrod 1h
Heartbreaking & inspiring: A young American diplomat, killed in Afghanistan, en route to delivering schoolbooks. http://nyti.ms/10GlAbc

Department of State?@StateDept
#SecKerry recalls Anne Smedinghoff, FSO who lost her life in Afghanistan, as "everything our country stands for." read: http://blogs.suntimes.com/news/2013/04/state_department_statement_on_death_of_chicagoan_anne_smedinghoff.html

[DCBob]

1. Terrible and sad.

This woman sounds like wonderful person trying to make a difference in the world, risking her life to help those less fortunate. Very sad indeed.

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2. .

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3. update: link to NYT article

David Axelrod ?@davidaxelrod 1h
Heartbreaking & inspiring: A young American diplomat, killed in Afghanistan, en route to delivering schoolbooks. http://nyti.ms/10GlAbc