Beheaded US journalist wrote letter to family while in captivity

Diane and John Foley, parents of journalilst James Foley, sit for a portrait at their home during an interview on Aug 24, 2014, in Rochester, New Hampshire. -- PHOTO: AFP
Diane and John Foley, parents of journalilst James Foley, sit for a portrait at their home during an interview on Aug 24, 2014, in Rochester, New Hampshire. -- PHOTO: AFP

American journalist James Foley who was beheaded by Islamic militants wrote a letter to his family while in captivity and recited it to a fellow hostage, who conveyed the content to Foley's family after his release.

"I remember so many great family times that take me away from this prison," Foley said in his letter, which was posted online by his family.

"Dreams of family and friends take me away and happiness fills my heart. I know you are thinking of me and praying for me. And I am so thankful. I feel you all especially when I pray. I pray for you to stay strong and to believe. I really feel I can touch you even in this darkness when I pray," he wrote.

Foley, who had been missing in Syria since 2012, was beheaded by militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The beheading was shown in a video released last week.

In his letter, Foley also wrote about some darker memories. He revealed that he was held in a single cell with 17 other prisoners. They were able to find strength in each other by playing games and sharing stories.

"The games and teaching each other have helped the time pass. They have been a huge help. We repeat stories and laugh to break the tension,'' Foley wrote.

"I have had weak and strong days. We are so grateful when anyone is freed; but of course, yearn for our own freedom. We try to encourage each other and share strength. We are being fed better now and daily. We have tea, occasional coffee. I have regained most of my weight lost last year," he said.

Foley also expressed the hope that he would be freed in time to celebrate his sister's wedding next year.

"Katie, so very proud of you. You are the strongest and best of us all!! I think of you working so hard, helping people as a nurse. I am so glad we texted just before I was captured. I pray I can come to your wedding…. now I am sounding like Grammy!!'' he said.

Mail Online reported that Foley dictated the letter to fellow hostage Daniel Rye Ottosen. The 25-year-old Danish photojournalist spent 13 months imprisoned alongside Foley and painstakingly memorised the lengthy letter, said the website.

When Ottosen was released in June, his first call was to Foley's mum Diane in which he read the letter to her.

Foley's family released the letter late on Sunday on the Free James Foley Facebook page after a memorial Mass in Rochester:

"Dear Family and Friends,

I remember going to the Mall with Dad, a very long bike ride with Mom. I remember so many great family times that take me away from this prison. Dreams of family and friends take me away and happiness fills my heart.

I know you are thinking of me and praying for me. And I am so thankful. I feel you all especially when I pray. I pray for you to stay strong and to believe. I really feel I can touch you even in this darkness when I pray.

Eighteen of us have been held together in one cell, which has helped me. We have had each other to have endless long conversations about movies, trivia, sports. We have played games made up of scraps found in our cell…we have found ways to play checkers, Chess, and Risk… and have had tournaments of competition, spending some days preparing strategies for the next day's game or lecture. The games and teaching each other have helped the time pass. They have been a huge help. We repeat stories and laugh to break the tension.

I have had weak and strong days. We are so grateful when anyone is freed; but of course, yearn for our own freedom. We try to encourage each other and share strength. We are being fed better now and daily. We have tea, occasional coffee. I have regained most of my weight lost last year.

I think a lot about my brothers and sister. I remember playing Werewolf in the dark with Michael and so many other adventures. I think of chasing Mattie and T around the kitchen counter. It makes me happy to think of them. If there is any money left in my bank account, I want it to go to Michael and Matthew. I am so proud of you, Michael and thankful to you for happy childhood memories and to you and Kristie for happy adult ones.

And big John, how I enjoyed visiting you and Cress in Germany. Thank you for welcoming me. I think a lot about RoRo and try to imagine what Jack is like. I hope he has RoRo's personality!

And Mark… so proud of you too Bro. I think of you on the West coast and hope you are doing some snowboarding and camping, I especially remember us going to the Comedy Club in Boston together and our big hug after. The special moments keep me hopeful.

Katie, so very proud of you. You are the strongest and best of us all!! I think of you working so hard, helping people as a nurse. I am so glad we texted just before I was captured. I pray I can come to your wedding…. now I am sounding like Grammy!!

Grammy, please take your medicine, take walks and keep dancing. I plan to take you out to Margarita's when I get home. Stay strong because I am going to need your help to reclaim my life."

Jim (James Foley)

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