2:33
Another video captured the carnage from the Libyan town of Sirte.
Held captive in Libya for 44 days in 2011, Foley, 40, said he relied on prayer during the experience. Two weeks after his release, he spoke to Medill students June 2 about his experience as a conflict reporter.
\"When you see something really violent it does a strange thing to you. It doesn't always repel you. Sometimes, as you know, it draws you closer,\" he said. \"Feeling like you've survived something, you know, it's a strange sort of force that you are drawn back to. I think that is the absolute reality.\"
While Foley saw violence and bloodshed, he also took time to appreciate moments with civilians caught in a conflict zone. He shared a video of a Syrian couple exchanging vows in Aleppo as bombs dropped in the distance.
Syrians find love in time of war -heartfelt and felt lucky to meet this young couple #aleppo http://t.co/JQAaaQvJ
— James W. Foley (@jfoleyjourno) September 3, 2012
As part of a group of concerned journalists, Foley also helped raise money for an ambulance in Aleppo.
Attn Donors- ambulance w $ U raised now being used at dar al shifaa hospital in Aleppo. Pls see vid. RT if you donated! http://t.co/KoJadNdJ
— James W. Foley (@jfoleyjourno) November 13, 2012
He actively tweeted until his kidnapping in November 2012, sharing his colleagues’ stories and reminding his followers of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who was kidnapped in August 2012 and still remains missing.
A video posted online Tuesday showed Foley apparently being beheaded by a militant, which U.S. officials today described as “authentic.”
A statement posted on the Free James Foley Facebook page and attributed to Foley’s mother, Diane, said his family has “never been prouder of our son Jim.”
“He gave his life trying to expose the world to suffering of the Syrian people,” the note says. “We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents... We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us. He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person.\"
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