Big Day

Today was my official Swearing-In Ceremony for the 114th Foreign Service Specialist Class - sounds fancy doesn't it. It was! The ceremony was held in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 8th floor of the Department of State Building. This is a beautiful space - amazing crystal chandeliers, lots of antique furniture and a beautiful collection of bright green dinner wear from the 1800's. It has a vaulted ceiling with ornate gold trimmed squares and a outdoor space that has views of the Capital Building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River. Eric, Lotte and O were able to survive the metro and the long hot walk up 23rd street to join me for this event. We had a few distinguished speakers and then all of my class was introduced by name, speciality and country of assignment. Ambassador Patrick F. Kennedy - Under Secretary for Management administered the following oath:

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith an allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the Office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.

After the ceremony we all took the sweaty metro back home and cooled off in the pool! Later in the afternoon we celebrated at our newest favorite place - Claire and Don's Beach Shack with happy hour margaritias and appetizers! YUM!