WASHINGTON — The parents of one of the American journalists murdered by ISIS in recent weeks spoke at an emotional event Monday night in D.C.
“Jim doesn’t want us to cry. Jim doesn’t. Jim wants us to love. He is challenging us big time,” said Diane Foley at a memorial prayer vigil for her son, James Foley, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill.
A graphic video posted online last month showed James Foley being beheaded by ISIS terrorists, who said the killing was payback for American airstrikes in Iraq.
Foley, a 40-year-old freelance journalist, was a 1996 graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Monday’s vigil was organized by the Marquette Club of Washington D.C.
Foley’s father John says his son, who he calls Jimmy, had few material possessions.
“He had no car, no home, no clothes — he couldn’t get in the church tonight. [What he had was] a camera, a computer, a flak jacket, a pencil, a pad and a helmet and a thousand beautiful friends. His treasure was his friendships. Our treasures are his friendships. We have lost a son, but we have gained many, many sons and daughters,” John Foley said.
“I fear that we may not have enough courage to do all the things he could do, with a smile,” John Foley added, his voice breaking.
Several Marquette graduates spoke at the vigil, including Jean McHugh, a friend of Jim’s who called him simply “Foley.”
“He had a unique ability to touch people and make them feel like the most important person in the room,” said McHugh.
Sean Lengell also spoke about his friend.
“Jim’s death will only strengthen the resolve of journalists everywhere, and future journalists. That is his legacy,” said Lengell.
Otto Heck, President of the Marquette Club of Washington, D.C., said Foley’s legacy will live on.
“Jim’s light has not gone out. It has been reflected and magnified by all of us,” Heck said.
Those who knew Foley and would like to share memories on social media are asked to use #rememberingjim in their posts.
Marquette University has established a James Foley Memorial Scholarship, and his family has set up the James W. Foley Legacy Fund in hopes of continuing to do things about which Foley was passionate, such as educating disadvantaged kids and supporting and protecting journalists.
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