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New Hampshire Town Honors James Foley New Hampshire Town Honors James Foley
(about 1 hour later)
ROCHESTER, N.H. — This quiet city honored James W. Foley on Sunday, the freelance journalist who was killed last week by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. ROCHESTER, N.H. — Residents of this quiet city came together Sunday to honor James W. Foley, the freelance journalist who was killed last week by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
At a Mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Rochester, Bishop Peter Libasci told attendees, including Mr. Foley's parents, John and Diane, that the journalist had lived his faith through the images he captured of people suffering because of war or oppressive governments. At a Mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Bishop Peter A. Libasci of the Manchester diocese said, “This moment in our lives is international in scope, crossing all boundaries, yet very personal.”
Bishop Libasci also read letter from the Vatican offering the condolences of Pope Francis. Bishop Libasci asked the congregation, which included Mr. Foley’s parents, John and Diane, to pray for peace.
The crowd filled the church, with peoplestanding in the back and along both sides. Gov. Maggie Hassan and United States Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte attended.
Mr. Foley, who would have turned 41 in October, grew up in New Hampshire before becoming a journalist and covering conflicts in countries like Libya and Syria. He was covering the civil war in Syria when he disappeared on Nov. 22, 2012. Mr. Foley reappeared last week in a video depicting his beheading by an ISIS fighter who said the killing was payback for the recent United States military operations in Iraq.Mr. Foley, who would have turned 41 in October, grew up in New Hampshire before becoming a journalist and covering conflicts in countries like Libya and Syria. He was covering the civil war in Syria when he disappeared on Nov. 22, 2012. Mr. Foley reappeared last week in a video depicting his beheading by an ISIS fighter who said the killing was payback for the recent United States military operations in Iraq.
His death has drawn condemnation from world leaders, including President Obama, and an outpouring of grief. An online memorial, Remembering Jim, has collected dozens of tribute photographs, and Mr. Foley’s family is collecting donations for a scholarship and fund in his honor.His death has drawn condemnation from world leaders, including President Obama, and an outpouring of grief. An online memorial, Remembering Jim, has collected dozens of tribute photographs, and Mr. Foley’s family is collecting donations for a scholarship and fund in his honor.
The church, which officials said could seat about 900, was filled 45 minutes before the start of the Mass. More than 40 members of Mr. Foley’s family were expected to attend, as well as friends, fellow parishioners and some strangers, like Sandra Harrington, 68, of Manchester, who were drawn here to support the family. Just before the end of the Mass, Mr. Foley’s parents thanked the congregation for its support. The pair greeted hundreds of guests after the service in a reception room adjacent to the church, where family photo albums and messages of remembrance for James Foley were displayed. The line of well-wishers stretched out of the room, and John Foley worked his way along it, clasping shoulders, hugging mourners and, sometimes, laughing with friends.
The horror of Mr. Foley’s death, which stunned so many around the world, was felt even more deeply here. . “It’s world news, but it’s our hometown,” said Adam Dow, a Realtor who attended grade school and high school with Mr. Foley in Wolfeboro.
“Jim had a purpose,” Mr. Dow said, adding in reference to the wide geographic range of Mr. Foley’s career, “I live in a resort town — Jim’s out there. Jim was in prison for two years.”
Some at the Mass, like Sandra Harrington, 68, of Manchester, came to support the family.
“We have been blessed because of James, because he followed his heart in wanting to bring the truth out to people,” said Ms. Harrington, a nursing educator.“We have been blessed because of James, because he followed his heart in wanting to bring the truth out to people,” said Ms. Harrington, a nursing educator.
Gov. Maggie Hassan, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte and Representative Ann McLane Kuster were also expected to attend, according to church officials.
On Saturday night, a vigil in Rochester drew about 200 people, according to New England Cable News, including Mr. Foley’s parents, who briefly addressed the group.On Saturday night, a vigil in Rochester drew about 200 people, according to New England Cable News, including Mr. Foley’s parents, who briefly addressed the group.
“I want to thank you for understanding Jim’s heart,” Mr. Foley’s mother said. “And I pray that we will take up the challenge to love like Jim did, and to really work for peace in this world.”“I want to thank you for understanding Jim’s heart,” Mr. Foley’s mother said. “And I pray that we will take up the challenge to love like Jim did, and to really work for peace in this world.”
Ms. Hassan directed flags across New Hampshire to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday in honor of Mr. Foley.Ms. Hassan directed flags across New Hampshire to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday in honor of Mr. Foley.
“James Foley exemplified the best of our journalistic ideals, fearlessly going to some of the world’s most dangerous places to expose the horrific consequences of war and the beautiful humanity of those innocent civilians affected by it,” Ms. Hassan said in a statement.“James Foley exemplified the best of our journalistic ideals, fearlessly going to some of the world’s most dangerous places to expose the horrific consequences of war and the beautiful humanity of those innocent civilians affected by it,” Ms. Hassan said in a statement.