By Ray Cardello for September 10, 2025, Season 32 / Post 36

Charlie Kirk was a young man, just 31 years young. Charlie Kirk was a husband and father. Charlie Kirk was a Believer. Tonight, Charlie is with our Heavenly Father in Paradise. For some reason, God called Charlie home this afternoon, far too soon for those of us who admired him. The best tribute we can give to Charlie is to carry on his mission of promoting Conservative political thinking and his profound belief in God and Christianity. Some evil individual took Charlie from us today, but what he left is a modern-day martyr who may be more powerful in death than he could ever imagine in life.

Charlie opted to bypass the traditional college path to create Turning Point USA at the ripe age of 18. His goal was to touch young people with debate to promote Conservatism and convince them that the movement of the Right was the path to freedom, liberty, and prosperity for them and their families. Charlie loved this country and saw the best in it for the future. He grew up in a family that would listen to Rush Limbaugh on their old radio. Limbaugh resonated with young Charlie and helped mold him into the dynamo that was touching the souls of the young people of this country.

Charlie did not wear the uniform, but he was as much a patriot and hero as any member of our military. Charlie gave his life for our country today. He was addressing the crowd of 2,000. He threw hats to the crowd and worked them eye to eye and hand to hand. He took a question on religion and was about to respond to a question about trans shooters when a single shot rang out, and a man, a legend, was taken from us. Tonight, his wife and two young children will hope to see their husband and father one more time. Charlie will not be coming home.

There will be volumes written in the days and weeks ahead. Giants of politics and conservative media will tell personal stories about Charlie. That is not my purpose today. Charlie Kirk has touched me on many levels, but he has always said we must work harder than the Left to overcome their evil ways. I will honor Charlie in my own way by doing as he said. I will work harder and smarter to ensure our Conservative message reaches as many people as possible.

May God bless Charlie and wrap his arms around Erica and their two children to keep them safe. Charlie’s work does not end today. He will live forever in our hearts.