[eddief]

I got my wars confused. I did not know the details at the level you quoted them. Those make it all the more sad and painful.

Originally Posted by 93legendti

Back to reality - he was in Syria in his own to help refugees from Syria's civil war, as in the war between Assad and his own people:

"...After leaving the military, he trained as a medic and worked with Syrians affected by the country's devastating civil war. “We each get one life and that’s it,” Kassig told CNN in 2012. “This is what I was put here to do,” he added, referring to his aid work. “I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic and an idealist.”

To the OP, so so sorry about your son's friend,..truly horrible. I can't fathom how his parents, family, loved ones and friends must feel right now...