James Foley in Aleppo in 2012.
Posted on 08/20/2014 7:24:35 PM PDT by NYer
The news broke late yesterday that Islamic State jihadists executed freelance journalist James Foley and posted a video of his beheading. Foley, 40, had been missing for two years while covering the conflict in Syria. I am not going to link to the video or include screen shots from it, but I will share another link that has been circulating since the news of Foley’s brutal death: an article he wrote for the alumni magazine of Marquette University, his alma mater. The piece is about the time Foley spent imprisoned in Libya in 2011:
I began to pray the rosary. It was what my mother and grandmother would have prayed. I said 10 Hail Marys between each Our Father. It took a long time, almost an hour to count 100 Hail Marys off on my knuckles. And it helped to keep my mind focused.
Clare and I prayed together out loud. It felt energizing to speak our weaknesses and hopes together, as if in a conversation with God, rather than silently and alone. …
One night, 18 days into our captivity, some guards brought me out of the cell. … Upstairs in the warden’s office, a distinguished man in a suit stood and said, “We felt you might want to call your families.”
I said a final prayer and dialed the number. My mom answered the phone. “Mom, Mom, it’s me, Jim.”
“Jimmy, where are you?”
“I’m still in Libya, Mom. I’m sorry about this. So sorry.” …
“They’re having a prayer vigil for you at Marquette. Don’t you feel our prayers?” she asked.
“I do, Mom, I feel them,” and I thought about this for a second. Maybe it was others’ prayers strengthening me, keeping me afloat.
The official made a motion. I started to say goodbye. Mom started to cry. “Mom, I’m strong. I’m OK. I should be home by Katie’s graduation,” which was a month away.
“We love you, Jim!” she said. Then I hung up.
I replayed that call hundreds of times in my head — my mother’s voice, the names of my friends, her knowledge of our situation, her absolute belief in the power of prayer. She told me my friends had gathered to do anything they could to help. I knew I wasn’t alone.
My last night in Tripoli, I had my first Internet connection in 44 days and was able to listen to a speech Tom Durkin gave for me at the Marquette vigil. To a church full of friends, alums, priests, students and faculty, I watched the best speech a brother could give for another. It felt like a best man speech and a eulogy in one. It showed tremendous heart and was just a glimpse of the efforts and prayers people were pouring forth. If nothing else, prayer was the glue that enabled my freedom, an inner freedom first and later the miracle of being released during a war in which the regime had no real incentive to free us. It didn’t make sense, but faith did.
Ping!
You get captured in Libya in 2011 and then go back to Syria in 2012?
This guy wasn’t “covering” jack! He was an anti Catholic, anti American, anti Israeli progressive.
Foley was a vicious anti-Semite, pro-Hamas, pro-jihadist.
What a tear=jerker of a post.
God bless Jim Foley and his family.
Yeah sure albie...
an anti-Catholic who prays the Rosary in captivity...
sure, right, whatever you say....
For the Greater Glory of God ... but not Sunday morning quarterback, know it alls
Why would someone who was anti Catholic be praying the Rosary?
I bet he was not very pro-jihadist by the time he was executed. “Conservative is a liberal mugged” times 100 when you are captured and have a Real Reality Check.
Thanks for posting this NY’er.
Does that apply to soldiers who want to and do return to the battlefield after recovering from battle wounds.
LooneyTunes or death wish?
Any chance that video of him being beheaded was faked?
Others (here) have pointed out that no blood was rushing out, as there should have been when under stress. (I haven’t seen that particular video). That said, a severed head lies on what appears to be Foley’s back. (The manner in which Islamist State has presented beheaded bodies previously). One would have to recognize Foley’s face to know. It’s close. :(
Yes he found God and courage in the valley of evil. Why does that anger some on this thread....?
... this guy comes across as a bit of a loony-tune, or someone with a death wish.
You’re comparing a delusional, naïve idiot of a reporter/photographer to a soldier?
In the sense that a soldier and a war journalist both knowingly put themselves in harm’s way, yes.
Did you read his articles? Did you read what this “
delusional, naïve idiot of a reporter/photographer “ had to say about our troops?
I started reading his articles last night. Haven’t read them all but from what I have read I have not come to the conclusion others have that he somehow got what he deserved.
What I find most telling about this story is that Foley captured in November 2012, and hardly anyone even knew about his capture and long captivity until after he was executed. It sounds to me as if his execution was the only consequential thing about his career.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.