'He would have gone first, that is who he is' - VIDEO

While their son's cowardly killer hid his face from the camera, John and Diane Foley fought back their tears and even managed to laugh and joke while they remembered their 40-year-old son, who was so brutally butchered on Tuesday.And as they matched their indomitable son for heroism, his father John said he was certain his boy would have courageously offered to be executed first to save his colleague and fellow hostage Steven Joel Sotloff.Displaying remarkable grace, John said that his son, 'was a martyr for freedom. His brother Michael and I are both sure he volunteered to go first.''I am sure he wouldn't shrink from the situation and said someone has got to go first. That is who he was.''He met the most horrific end and it haunts me how much pain he must have been in and how cruel this method of execution is as opposed to so many others.'He was courageous to the end and he accepted his situation and he gathered his faith.'The dignity of the Foleys, who have been campaigning for their sons release since he was kidnapped in Syria on Thanksgiving, 2012, shone through during the hour they spent with reporters.'We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us. He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person,' Diane Foley said.The weight of grief became too much for John Foley at one point as he recalled his son's last words; how he wished he could have had more time with his loved ones.He broke down in tears and then stopped to compose himself before beaming with pride at his son.'We're very proud of Jim,' said the Foleys, who have four other children. 'He was a courageous, fearless journalist. A very compassionate American.'(dailymail.co.uk)Bakudaily.Az