A memorial service to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk drew nearly 300 people to Franklin Park in Shawano on Sept. 18, more than a week after the conservative media personality was killed.
“Charlie stood firm in his beliefs, but the one I want to touch on tonight is his belief in the American family,” said Molly Stepniewski, who organized the event along with Megghan Heling. “He believed that bringing families back together was the key to healing America. He often spoke about how a family provides stability, identity and value that will guide us. Without strong family values, he warned, we will risk losing the very foundation that makes our country strong.”
She urged the audience to recommit themselves to Kirk’s vision of family.
“Let’s spend more time around the table with the ones we love, pass down traditions and teach our children the values that hold us together,” Stepniewski said. “If we want a stronger future, it starts with rebuilding the bonds of family — right here and right now. This is the legacy that Charlie would have wanted us to continue.”
Kirk, 31, was speaking at an event Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University when he was killed, allegedly by Tyler Robinson, 22. Robinson was charged with aggravated murder and faces the death penalty if convicted.
He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and was its executive director.
Shawano’s peaceful vigil was intended to be a space for anyone feeling sadness who wanted to honor the life of Kirk, support his family and stand together as they move forward and continue to share his message.
The Rev. Kyle Johnson, lead pastor at Hope Community Church in Shawano, acknowledged the heavy hearts of supporters as well as the divided world that exists. He said people could best honor Kirk in their words and actions by cherishing family, living with purpose and strengthening bonds that bind.
“The divide is great,” Johnson said. “In the moment like this, the divide can only get greater, but there is a statement that is said – all the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
He urged those in attendance to continue to be the example that needs to be shone.
“We need to listen effectively,” he said. “You’re going to have an opportunity this week to engage people that don’t process the world the way that we do, but we’re going to shine that light. We’re going to listen — listen to not what’s in their words but what’s in their heart, where there’s hurt, where’s there’s confusion.”
He then urged them to respond — not to win an argument but by to build up the other person and help close the divide.
“This is not what’s going to define us,” he said of the killing. “This is not gong to end with us fully separated; we are going to bring us back together.”
Johnson noted the quote on the back of T-shirts worn by many in attendance: “I want to be remembered for my faith.”
Ray Benishek collected donations to print 100 T-shirts with Kirk’s photo on the front and a quote on the reverse.
“What an amazing event,” Benishek said. “Thank you to every single person who accepted the memorial shirts. And a special thanks to everyone who donated and helped me get the ball rolling.”
Johnson said faith was key to Kirk.
“There’s a god that has uniquely designed each and every one of us for a purpose, but because … of the divide each one of us has in our heart, we have a separation from God,” Johnson said.
He added God provides the way for everyone to come back together, and this is through the light of Jesus Christ.
“Although there is a heaviness that’s over us, I think there also needs to be a sense of hope, a sense of peace, because clearly if he wanted to be remembered for his faith, his faith is defined as only through Jesus Christ we can be saved,” Johnson said.
The gathering ended with a moment of silence and the opportunity for those in attendance to talk and take photos in and around the temporary memorial.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
