At a memorial service marking the 10th anniversary of her father’s tragic death, Bethany Haines reflected on the life of David Haines, a dedicated Scottish aid worker murdered by ISIS terrorists. Bethany emphasized that her father should not be remembered merely as “the man in the orange jumpsuit,” but rather as a loving family man who truly embraced life.

Gathered in Perth, friends and family came together to honor David’s legacy and to remember all hostages affected by similar violence. David Haines was captured in Syria in March 2013 while delivering humanitarian aid. He was later beheaded in 2014 by a terrorist group known as “The Beatles,” notorious for their English accents.

Bethany shared her deep emotions during the service: “It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since my world was shattered, and I had to accept that I would never see my dad again. The past decade has been incredibly challenging, filled with ups and downs. The pain has persisted and likely always will, but I’ve found ways to cope and channel my energy into positive actions.”

An inspiring moment came during a trip Bethany took to Syria in 2019, where she met a brother and sister who had lost several family members in a massacre. They transformed their grief into something positive by converting their living room into a library and community center.

“This inspired me to live my life to the fullest and find joy, which is exactly what my dad would want for me,” Bethany said. “He wouldn’t want to be remembered for his tragic end, but rather as a man who loved his family, was generous, sought to help others, and cherished life.”

She described David as “strong, kind, and caring,” sharing her belief that he would have relished the opportunity to be a grandfather, spending quality time with her son. Bethany also emphasized that her father’s death should not be framed through a religious lens; it was simply the result of “bad men doing bad things.”