Posted on 11/19/2006 8:17:27 AM PST by rface
Fallen legislator leaves rehab for the funeral, thanks his dad 'for not losing faith in me'......
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Hollow-eyed, Mark Foley stood at his father's graveside Saturday morning. As he watched the military honor guard slowly fold the American flag that had draped Edward Foley's casket, his jaw tightened hard.
After the folded flag was dutifully presented to his mother, Frances, Foley pivoted around to face the scores of graveside mourners.
He put on the smile of a practiced politician and graciously thanked everyone for attending the service. He especially thanked those who had taken care of his father, who died Tuesday, ending his three-year fight with cancer.
As Foley listed people to thank, his voice cracked. "And most of all, I want to thank Daddy," said Foley, stumbling over his words, "for not losing faith in me these last weeks he was alive, even though I had disappointed him so deeply."
Foley's shoulders heaved, he crumpled over and his words were lost in a submerged sob that was like an electric shock to the mourners. After one suspended, tense second, they, too, cried as family members surrounded him.
"Oh, the sadness and loss for this family," said one nearby mourner. She declined to give her name or relation to the family.
The death of Foley's father, 85, was the compelling force that pulled Foley out of the seclusion of a swank Arizona rehabilitation center where he has been for about six weeks.
It brought him back into the unforgiving glare of media attention and a criminal investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to determine whether Foley broke any state laws in his salacious Internet exchanges with former congressional pages.
Foley, 52, resigned in September after his Internet messages were uncovered.
Before the graveside ceremony in Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Foley attended Mass for his father in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Inside the church, Foley was not the fallen congressman whose scandalous missteps helped end the Republican hold over the House and Senate earlier this month. Instead, he was a grieving son.
My sincere prayers and best wishes to that entire family
Of course, the media is unforgiving because they are all perfect human beings.
These photographers who lurked at the cemetary are on the same level as the Phelps inbred clan.
It is very sad.
>>These photographers who lurked at the cemetary are on the same level as the Phelps inbred clan. <<
Ya got that right!
Prayers for the family. Peace to all of them.
Hyenas.
This story just breaks my heart. And I truly believe that nothing worse than this moment will ever cause Mr. Foley more pain. Acknowledging that his (Mr. Foley's) serious mistakes have disappointed his dad is probably the heaviest cross he is going to have to carry in this lifetime.
I'm so sorry for his entire family for their loss.
The elder Foley's last months on this earth must've been hell.
sw
Good point.
I think that's the effect of natural light on his hairpiece.
Yup...enough. Leave the guy in his grief. I only hope those who have taken such glee in his demise, will someday face judgement.
Yes, but only so long as you are a conservative or ally yourself with the conservatives. But if you are a lib, (ala Bill C )then imperfection is coddled, it's celebrated, as part of being human.
He's Catholic.
Some friend.
+
amen
I don't know why everyone is assuming that Foley's dad didn't know he was gay?
I suspect he did.
sw
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