Southern California Chinese community leader Jielijian led a group of 8 people on a five-hour drive from Los Angeles to the Arizona State Farm Stadium to attend the memorial service of Charlie Kirk. He described it not only as a memorial, but also as a prayer for faith, freedom, and peace.
When Jielijian and his group arrived in the early hours of September 21st, the venue was already crowded with over 10,000 people. Many families traveled long distances from New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas, holding hands with their loved ones, just to bid farewell to Kirk.
The crowd was mostly white, with only a few Black and Asian attendees. The atmosphere on-site was orderly, with everyone holding national flags, caring for each other, sharing food, and consciously maintaining cleanliness.
He particularly mentioned a 31-year-old young man, Colton Bethany Neifert, from Texas, who came with his wife and four young children. He had been lost in life but found direction after listening to Kirk’s speeches, choosing faith as the foundation, building a family, and taking on responsibility. Jielijian believes this is the power of passing down faith.
Even when the safety ropes fell during the queue to enter, no one crossed the line or cut in line, instead, some voluntarily helped pick up the ropes and guided the queue forward. This self-discipline and adherence to rules left a deep impression on Jielijian. He said that in other large events or concerts, it is common to see people pushing and even crossing barriers.
He sighed, saying that this is the public spirit brought by faith, from families to society, all can be orderly and organized by following rules.
Throughout the memorial service, many speeches were sincere, like chatting with old friends, bringing tears to many. Jielijian choked up and told Epoch Times, “Although we have never met in person, for many, Charlie is like a friend we just met yesterday, and today we are sending him off. The countless applause and tears are all for the same person – Charlie Kirk. His life transcends borders, becoming a symbol of protecting families, faith, and freedom, touching America and the world.”
The most touching moment was when Kirk’s wife gave a speech. She bravely held back her grief, comforting everyone with a smile, and urged forgiveness for the perpetrator, letting go of hatred, moving the entire audience. Her compassion not only comforted the hundred thousand participants on-site but also touched over half a million people worldwide through live broadcast.
Jielijian excitedly expressed, “This memorial service made me cry, feel heartache, and also deep pride. This is the first collective mourning event held for an activist civilian in the United States and even globally, not just for Charlie, but for freedom and human rights. We are celebrating – celebrating people returning to tradition and faith, which is itself the most powerful condemnation of violence and terror.”
He believed that this was a divinely arranged gathering, praying for the greatness of America and for the peace, security, and civilization of the world. “Being able to participate personally in this great revival event is the honor of my life.”
He thanked Charlie for allowing people to once again understand the core values of family and faith. Despite the long journey and physical fatigue, he felt everything was worthwhile because every minute of the memorial service was the most real and exciting experience of life. ◇