Amid song and prayer, friends and family remember American journalist James Foley.

Saturday's memorial at a New Hampshire church marked what would have been Foley's 41st birthday.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHURCH PASTOR SAYING:

"His presence here on his 41st birthday for me is very real, for his work in telling the presence, the personal stories of people trapped by war and senseless violence, continues even to this day."

Foley was beheaded by Islamic State captors in a video posted online in August.

In front of a packed audience, Foley's brother Michael said while he will never understand why he died, he did not die in vain.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL FOLEY, YOUNGER BROTHER OF SLAIN AMERICAN JOURNALIST JAMES FOLEY, SAYING:

"Jim died because of what he believed in. Others may disagree but as Father mentioned I know in my heart he put himself first. He demonstrated the ultimate act of selflessness. Jim died for his faith. Jim died because he was