Carlo Allegri/Reuters
Murdered American journalist James Foley was able to smuggle a final letter out to his family, describing his time in captivity and his wishes for his loved ones. All physical letters out had been confiscated by his captors, so the message was memorized by a fellow hostage about to be released and dictated over the phone to Foley’s mother. “I have had weak and strong days. We are so grateful when anyone is freed; but of course, yearn for our own freedom,” he wrote, describing one cell of 18 hostages. The letter, which was posted by his family on Facebook, included personal notes to each of his immediate family members, ending with one for his grandmother: “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.”