The violent protests against a U.S.-based film that started in Egypt last Tuesday continue to spread throughout the Arab world.  The most notable of these occurred outside the U.S. embassy in Libya, where four American diplomats lost their lives.   Anti-American demonstrations have also been reported in Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, and Gaza City.  

Among the four Americans lost, was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens.  Ambassador Stevens was a career diplomat who was committed to working with the Libyan people.  He was the American envoy to the revolutionaries during the uprising in Libya, and helped bring down Moammar Gadhafi.  Ambassador Stevens embodied what it truly means to be a diplomat.  He was passionate about building a relationship between the United States and Libya, and cared about the people, not just the politics. He helped free the Libyan people, and his death is a tragedy for American diplomacy. 

Among those killed, was also U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith.  Smith was assigned to Libya on a temporary mission.  Our diplomats overseas are more than just our representatives or negotiators; they are our peacemakers, our community builders, our innovators, and our trailblazers.  They commit their lives to serving the greater good.