Charlie Honored For His Faith, Courage

This article was originally published  by The Epoch Times: Charlie Honored For His Faith, Courage

Charlie Kirk, a notable conservative figure and founder of Turning Point USA, was honored for his unwavering faith and courage during a memorial service that drew an impressive crowd of supporters.

The memorial, held at the expansive State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, featured live performances and heartfelt tributes from various speakers including Kirk’s wife Erika Kirk, former President Donald Trump, close friends, and political colleagues.

Attendance exceeded the stadium’s capacity of 73,000, leading organizers to prepare an overflow area outside for those unable to find seats.

This service followed Kirk’s tragic assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10, prompting a swift, 33-hour manhunt for the suspect, Tyler Robinson.

The day’s events included 25 speakers, many of whom underscored Kirk’s legacy of faith and courage.

In a poignant moment, Erika Kirk expressed her forgiveness towards the accused with a reference to biblical teachings, stating, “On the Cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ That young man—I forgive him.”

She went on to articulate that her late husband was driven by a mission to assist the “Lost Boys of the West,” akin to characters in J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” who struggle with purpose and direction in life. “Charlie aimed to create a home at Turning Point USA for these young men who felt lost,” she said.

Erika noted that despite his untimely death, Kirk lived each day without regrets and was wholly committed to his cause, saying, “He left this world without regrets. He did 100 percent of what he could every day.”

Throughout the memorial, speakers frequently highlighted Kirk’s vocal Christian faith and immense bravery. Former President Trump characterized Kirk as a martyr, stating, “On that terrible day, September 10, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal.” He emphasized that Kirk’s voice would continue to resonate, marking him as part of the nation’s illustrious history of patriots.

Vice President JD Vance, a personal friend of Kirk’s, echoed these sentiments, labeling him a martyr of faith, while Donald Trump Jr. shared a tale of Kirk’s bravery at a Michigan State University event where threats had emerged, only to have Kirk insist on going on stage, undeterred.

Former associate Tyler Bowyer reminisced about Kirk’s early days when he founded Turning Point USA to combat the increasing influence of liberal ideology among the Millennial generation. Illustrating Kirk’s dedication, Bowyer recalled how they would often work tirelessly to secure support for their vision of conservatism.

The memorial attracted attendees from all over the country, many expressing that Kirk’s death ignited a renewed sense of faith and unity among supporters. One attendee, Chris Johnson, remarked on the atmosphere, saying, “It’s the biggest revival of our faith, our family, and our country that I’ve seen in a generation.”

Others highlighted the emotional connection felt throughout the event, with comments about the palpable sense of love and community present.

—Joseph Lord, Ryan Morgan, and TJ Muscaro

BOOKMARKS

In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, scrutiny has arisen regarding the circumstances of the event. On Sunday, The Epoch Times’ Jack Phillips reported that FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to investigate potential accomplices and other pivotal details.

Additionally, a congressional delegation featuring Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) visited China, aiming to foster military communication and trade discussions, as highlighted by The Epoch Times’ Dorothy Li reported.

Moreover, pro-Chinese regime influencers are exploiting Kirk’s assassination to criticize the U.S. and create discord among Americans, an investigation by The Epoch Times revealed.

In business news, according to tech entrepreneur Michael Dell, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch are poised to acquire a stake in an American version of TikTok, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicating a deal could materialize soon.

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