In a deeply moving tribute to her late husband, Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk, addressed a large crowd at his memorial service.
She shared that Charlie's lifelong mission was to "revive the American family," a cause he held dear to his heart.
According to One America News, Erika Kirk took the stage at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, before thousands of attendees. As she fought back tears, the crowd erupted in applause, offering her their support. She recounted the harrowing experience of September 10, the day her husband was tragically killed on the Utah Valley University campus.
Rushing to the hospital after receiving the news of her husband's shooting, she described her feelings of "shock," "horror," and "a level of heartache that I didnt even know existed" upon identifying his body.
However, she found solace in the "faint smile" on his lips, which she interpreted as a sign of his peaceful departure. "One moment Charlie was doing the thing he loved and then he blinked, and saw his savior in paradise," she said.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Erika found comfort in the company of her friends, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. They traveled to Utah aboard Air Force Two to assist in transporting Kirk's body back to Arizona.
During a moment of despair, she confided in Usha, admitting, "Honestly, I do not know how I am going to get through this." Usha's response, likening the situation to the chaotic last 15 minutes of a plane ride with children, provided Erika with the reassurance she needed.
Erika noted that her husband would have been proud of the peaceful response following his assassination. "After Charlies assassination, we didnt see violence. We didnt see rioting. We didnt see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country. We saw revival," she stated.
Despite his untimely death, Erika insisted that Charlie did not leave the world with "unfinished business." She urged men worldwide to "accept Charlies challenge and embrace true manhood," by loving and protecting their families.
"When he spoke to young people, he was always eager to tell them about Gods vision for marriage and how if they could just dare to live it out, it would enrich every part of their life in the same way that it enriched ours," she said.
Erika also shared personal anecdotes from their relationship, describing herself as Charlie's "closest and most trusted adviser, his best friend." She revealed that her husband had a deep desire to help young men, including the one who ended his life.
In a remarkable act of forgiveness, she pardoned Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect accused of Charlie's murder. "I forgive him because it is what Christ did," she said, adding, "The answer to hate is not hate."
Erika has since taken over as the new CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), vowing to honor her husband's legacy by establishing thousands of new TPUSA chapters. "The world needs Turning Point USA," she declared.
"It needs a group that will point young people away from the path of misery and sin. It needs something that will lead people away from hell in this world and in the next. It needs young people pointed in the direction of truth and beauty, and so I promise you today every part of our work will become greater."
She affirmed her commitment to continue her husband's mission, stating, "Charlie and I were united in purpose. His passion was my passion, and now his mission is my mission." She pledged to expand the work of Turning Point USA, making it "10 times greater through the power of his memory."
Erika confirmed that the campus events her husband was known for would continue, with the first event since his death scheduled for later this month. "No assassin will ever stop us from standing up to defend those rights ever because when you stop the conversation, when you stop the dialogue, this is what happens. When we lose the ability and the willingness to communicate, we get violence," she said.
Erika Kirk's poignant tribute to her late husband serves as a testament to his dedication to the American family and his vision for the future. Her commitment to continue his work and her remarkable act of forgiveness underscore the resilience and strength of character that define her as she navigates this tragic loss.
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