Glendale, Ariz. – At the memorial services for Charlie Kirk, thousands shared a strong personal bond with him, regarding the conservative figure as a genuine and relatable advocate for truth.
“He feels like family to me. We’re connected through faith,” remarked Greg Waters, a civil engineer who journeyed from Bishop, California, to honor Kirk.
Waters commented on the difficulty some face in grasping spiritual connections and expressed sadness over Kirk’s death, attributed to a left-leaning individual.
Reflecting on Kirk’s legacy in the conservative movement, Waters emphasized that Kirk’s impact was powerful, likening his struggle to that of a martyr attempting to shift opposing views.
Kirk was tragically shot on September 10 while starting a comeback tour at a university in Utah.
About 200,000 mourners from various backgrounds attended the service at State Farm Stadium, which quickly filled its 73,000-seat capacity.
“The turnout shows how much he truly means to people. A larger venue would have been fitting,” Waters noted about the overwhelming audience.
Different attendees connected with Kirk in various ways; some were lifelong supporters, while others only recently became fans.
“I’ve been a follower since the early days of Turning Point and watching his evolution has been quite the experience,” shared Thomas Hanson from Cerritos, California.
“His faith was sincere, and he approached discussions with passion yet respect,” Hanson added.
Many felt a profound spirit during the service, with one attendee mentioning it seemed as if the Holy Spirit was speaking through him, making the loss all the more poignant.
“People truly rallied behind him. It’s amazed me,” expressed his wife, Teresa Hanson, reflecting on Kirk’s ability to tackle controversial topics head-on.
Nicole Franco, 41, a lab technician from Kyle, Texas, made a significant effort to attend the memorial, driving 15 hours with her daughters.
She shared, “It’s unfortunate what happened. My boss was supportive and encouraged this spontaneous trip, even though I didn’t really know Kirk well back then.”
Franco recounted, “My husband informed me about his assassination, and I had to ask, ‘Who is Charlie Kirk?'” However, after watching his videos, she became an instant admirer, resonating with his viewpoints on limited government and life issues.
