Emotional Tribute to Charlie Kirk at Memorial Service
During a heartfelt memorial service on Sunday, Christian author Frank Turek honored the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, reflecting on Kirk’s unwavering faith and the tragic circumstances of his death. Addressing a large gathering at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Turek shared that he was merely 25 feet away from Kirk when he was fatally shot on September 10th at Utah Valley University.
“When that shot rang out, I stepped toward him, but his security team was on him right away,” Turek recounted to the audience, which included many mourners and political figures. “Charlie was like a son to me. I rushed toward the security team, and we all hurried to the SUV.”
In the vehicle, Turek described the frantic efforts made to administer first aid. He conveyed that, unfortunately, Kirk had passed away instantly and reassured attendees that he had felt no pain in his last moments. “We did everything we could to save Charlie,” said Turek. “But he was already gone. His gaze was on mine, though he wasn’t really looking at me. He seemed to look beyond. And if it’s any comfort, he felt no pain.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Turek recalled how, about five years earlier, he had asked Kirk to mentor him on matters of Christian evidence. “Honestly, it was a challenge to coach someone smarter than yourself,” he mentioned. “But Charlie’s intelligence was only outdone by his humility. There were, I think, things I wanted him to share, things he hadn’t fully explored.”
Turek emphasized that Kirk’s place in heaven wasn’t derived from his achievements or political standing but from his character. He stated, “Charlie is in heaven now, but not for being a remarkable husband or for the lives he saved or any political impact he made.”
Moreover, Turek had glowing words for Erica Kirk, Charlie’s wife, whom he described as a force of nature. “Each morning she rises, and you can almost hear the devil worry, ‘Oh no, she’s awake again!’” he joked. “Let’s celebrate Jesus, let’s celebrate Charlie, and let’s celebrate Erica.”
