On September 21, Tom Nilson from Phoenix, Arizona, attended the memorial service of Charlie Kirk with a heavy heart. He expressed his respect and mentioned that the memorial not only allowed him to feel the continuation of Kirk’s spirit but also strongly emphasized the omnipresence of God.
“I came here to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk and to personally experience such an occasion,” Nilson said. He shared the profound experience of feeling the presence of God everywhere and how He was showering His healing waters on everyone present. “Here, I can truly feel a certain healing power,” Nilson added.
Nilson mentioned that he had visited the memorial site on the 20th. “Yesterday, I met many people I had never met before, but I felt genuine kindness from them. I was emotionally overwhelmed, and at that moment, someone from Yuma kindly patted my shoulder and asked if I needed help. I was deeply moved by that gesture,” he recalled.
Reflecting on the news of Kirk’s shooting, Nilson still shuddered at the memory. “I had just finished my swimming training, lying down to relax in the sun. Suddenly, I received a text from my wife saying that Charlie had been shot,” he recounted. “When I got back home, my wife was watching the news reports. By that time, Charlie might have already passed away. It was truly shocking.”
Nilson expressed his deep admiration for Charlie Kirk. “I remember hearing about him for the first time in 2012, thinking, ‘Who is this young man?’ He was only in his early twenties at the time, yet already so accomplished and admirable.”
Regarding the arrangements for the memorial event, he acknowledged the efforts made by the organizers despite the tight preparation time. “I believe overall it is safe, but in this day and age, we can never predict what might happen.”
Santino Juarea from Generation Z, at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, stated that Kirk’s death has driven more people to support conservative ideals. He emphasized that no one should take pleasure in the killing of others due to differences in political views.
Juarea, from Temp, said: “I agree with Kirk’s views on most issues, which is why I am attending today’s memorial.”
He mentioned Kirk’s role in his political enlightenment, saying, “Because of his videos, I began actively researching social issues like abortion, immigration, and understanding the positions of the two major parties on these issues, and why abortion should be avoided.”
Juarea revealed that he had planned to have a public debate with Kirk at the Oregon Duck University to discuss immigration issues. He expressed regret, saying, “I always felt that those who debated with him on immigration issues in the past did not really hit the nail on the head. I wanted to have a good discussion with him on the premise of mutual respect.”
Speaking of the discourse on social media, Juarea admitted that Kirk’s death made him realize the harsh reality. “When you express opinions contrary to the mainstream on social platforms, you will face hatred, just like Charlie did. He openly opposed leftist views, making him a target of attacks and ultimately, even being killed.”
However, Kirk’s death will not silence him. Juarea stated, “I believe in speaking out on social media, absolutely; and those who rejoice in his death, being dismissed or condemned, are reaping what they have sown. This shows that hatred will ultimately destroy oneself.”