AFSA to Honor F.C. Resident

Falls Church resident Rayda Nadal, who lost her life while serving in the United States Foreign Service, will be honored at the Annual Memorial Ceremony at the U.S. State Department C Street lobby in Washington, D.C. this Friday, May 1, at 10:20 a.m. The ceremony is being organized by the American Foreign Service Association.

Nadal joined the Foreign Service in 2008 as an Office Management Specialist; she served in the economic, political, and commercial sections of the U.S. embassies in Kuwait City, Kabul, and Nassau. She additionally spent two years as an Office Management Specialist for Ambassador Capricia Marshall at the Office of Protocol in Washington, D.C. In 2013, she accepted the post of Office Management Specialist with the Office of Engineering Services at Embassy Moscow.

She died from injuries sustained in an explosion in her Moscow apartment in May 2014. Described by friends and colleagues as ‘a ray of sunshine,’ she was an excellent cook, avid reader and writer, and had a quick wit and a ready smile. She lived what friends and colleagues called the ‘ideal Foreign Service experience.’

Nadal’s name will be inscribed on the memorial wall next to the names of 245 individuals who have been recognized for making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy will speak and American Foreign Service Association President Robert J. Silverman will preside over the ceremony.

Recent News

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On Key

Stories that may interest you

Senator Saddam Salim Richmond Report

U.S. Strikes in Iran: the Urgent Need for Congressional Oversight On June 21st, President Trump abruptly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities with American bombers. The next day, he abruptly announced a

Beyer Floor Remarks Opposing H.R. 1

July 3, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) this morning delivered the following remarks on H.R. 1, aka the One Big Ugly Bill Act, during debate on the measure: “From

A Penny for Your Thoughts 7-3-2025

Growing up in post-World War II America presented few options for young women past high school. College graduates could aspire to be elementary school teachers or nurses but, once married,

Support Local News!

For Information on Advertising:

Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!