Charlie Kirk Remembered - Locally and nationally
Charlie Kirk -CC Photo by Gage Skidmore
Live Oak - Stephanie Linton, left, and Amanda Jordan sing “It Is Well With My Soul,” to a crowd of more than 250 Suwannee County mourners. -Photo by Lisa Keep
By Tami Stevenson
America is mourning the loss of 31 year-old Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative political activist, with deep Christian values. He founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at the age of 18. Kirk and TPUSA had become very popular with young people on college campuses throughout the nation.
Now, after his death, many are calling him a martyr (including President Trump) for speaking out against the left wing agenda. He was very popular before his death, but now his popularity is skyrocketing among young people.
He was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking/debating with students on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
His assassination has caused an explosion among young people and adults alike to step up to the plate and get serious about where our nation’s values are headed.
Live Oak and Lake City were counted among the thousands of communities, cities and towns across America that held memorial/candlelight vigils, mourning the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk.
The Live Oak memorial/candlelight vigil was held at Millennium Square, in downtown Live Oak, on Saturday, September 20, with an estimated crowd/mourners of more than 250 people.
The main organizer of the Live Oak event, Christian Peterson said, ”I want to thank everyone who came out to honor Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy. The outpouring of support, prayer, and unity we shared was deeply uplifting, and it reminded me how powerful our community can be when we come together. This vigil was not just a time of mourning, but also of hope, and I believe it’s only the beginning of what we can continue to build together in the days ahead.”
Suwannee County Republican Chairwoman Lisa Keep was one of the speakers and said she was thankful for the large turn-out that came to honor Charlie Kirk from the Suwannee County area.
Keep said during her speech, “Some of the things that I think Charlie’s life and death can help us remember is his Christian faith … and that one knowledgeable person (in their faith and in politics), who takes action, can make a huge difference.”
Lake City also held a memorial/candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk on Friday, September 19, at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City.
Kyle Green, the main organizer of the event, said they estimated over 500 people came to honor Kirk’s life and legacy in Lake City.
Green said, “They thought they could silence him but they only made his voice louder.”
Kirk’s official funeral/memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on September 21, 2025. The stadium was filled to capacity with an estimated 70,000 along with an overflow venue of at least 20,000 or more. It was one of the largest funeral gatherings ever held for a private citizen.
Speakers included President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other prominent conservative leaders, including Christian leaders and pastors.
President Trump said during his speech at the memorial, “He led boldly, and he argued brilliantly without apology. And so on that terrible day, September 10th, 2025, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He’s a martyr now for American freedom. I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk.”
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, gave an emotional speech. One especially striking moment was when she publicly forgave the man accused of killing her husband, a 22-year-old man named Tyler James Robinson, as she tearfully spoke the words of Jesus while he was on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” She added, “It’s what Charlie would do.”
Turning Point USA has named his widow, Erika Kirk, as the new CEO and Chair of the Board, according to Charlie’s expressed wishes prior to his death.
TPUSA membership has grown and is still growing exponentially since Kirk’s death, bringing these words into fruition: “They thought they could silence him, but only made his voice louder.”
Lake City candle lighting. -Photo: Kyle Green
More than 500 people were estimated to attend the Lake City Charllie Kirk Memorial. -Photo: Kyle Green
Charlie Kirk’s official funeral/memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on September 21, 2025. It was one of the largest funeral gatherings ever held for a private citizen. -Courtesy Photo
