Cathy Nagode, an American participant in the Arizona Memorial Service held on September 21st, expressed that attending the event made her realize the importance of turning back to God and believing in Him to make a true change in her life.
She spoke about her admiration for Charlie Kirk, stating that she came to the memorial to honor his memory and all the things he stood for. Nagode mentioned that she initially got to know Kirk through platforms like YouTube and Facebook and had been following his debates with his colleagues over the years.
Nagode shared that upon hearing the shocking news of Kirk’s tragic shooting at the University of Utah on September 10th, her heart broke. The timing of the incident, coinciding with the anniversary of her son’s passing the day before, compounded her grief even further, likening the loss to losing her own son. The emotional toll was exacerbated by the subsequent 9/11 remembrance events, making those three days especially challenging for her to cope with.
The significance of Charlie Kirk to Nagode was profound as his influence led her to rekindle her faith. She reflected on how, despite considering herself a Christian who would pray in times of difficulty and strive to be a good person, she had distanced herself from regular church attendance. Kirk’s teachings prompted her to reevaluate her spiritual beliefs and embrace a deeper connection with God, fundamentally transforming her outlook.
Nagode emphasized that Kirk’s passing had a profound impact on her spiritual journey, prompting her to acknowledge God’s presence more keenly and feel closer to Him than she had in a long time. She interpreted Kirk’s message to her as a call for personal growth and a renewed commitment to be a better person.
Participating in Kirk’s memorial was a vital experience for Nagode as she believed in his mission to change and uplift the world in the face of prevailing anger and hatred. The collective gatherings to honor Kirk allowed her to feel a renewed sense of patriotism for America and a deeper connection to her faith.
Witnessing the outpouring of support and compassion from individuals who shared her sentiments and values at the memorial reaffirmed Nagode’s belief in the goodness of humanity and the love for Charlie Kirk and their country. The absence of malice in those moments deeply moved her and strengthened her resolve to actively contribute to a more loving and peaceful society.
Notably, meeting Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow, held special significance for Nagode as she admired Erica’s strength and shared in her grief, having also experienced the loss of a spouse. She acknowledged the profound sorrow Erica endured witnessing Charlie’s tragic fate firsthand, particularly the harrowing ordeal of witnessing the assassination of her beloved partner and father of her children.
In closing, Nagode expressed her motivation to participate in Charlie Kirk’s memorial as a gesture of goodwill for her country, seeking to find solace in God’s presence and His love for America. She underscored the importance of safeguarding the nation from malevolent forces and preserving its integrity, driven by her profound love for the country and her fervent desire to protect it from destruction.