More than 200 people gathered on the Grant County Courthouse square Thursday night in Sheridan to remember the life of Charlie Kirk.
Nicole Haynes organized the event for the late Turning Points founder, conservative podcaster and religious leader who was murdered last week while speaking to college students on the Utah Valley University campus.
Many groups were involved including Arkansas Signs & Neon of Little Rock that brought and raised American flags, the Condors Biker Club and the Punishers Biker Club. Sheridan Police Department were present, and the Sheridan High School football team set up the flags.
Haynes began the night thanking everyone who attended before telling the crowd about Kirk's life and work.
“Thankfully, today, people speak out for what they believe, and they also speak out about religion," Haynes said. "We speak out about faith and values, something that Charlie was very, very proud of, his faith. He wanted to be remembered by his courage, bravery, and his faith. His death was a tragedy, but let it not be in vain. To his family, his wife, his children, his colleagues, the people, USA, and other people's lives that he touched.
"I know all of our hearts are with them and that we hope that they can find peace and comfort in knowing that Charlie went home to be with his Lord and Savior.
"In closing, I just wanted to leave you with the thought that Charlie once said,or he actually reminded us, that if the cost of speaking truth is sometimes, it is sometimes steep. But if we fail to speak, if we fail to stand for what we believe in and we're losing more than comfort. We're losing our voice. We're losing our freedom to speak our beliefs. And I think, you know, Charlie has empowered a lot of our youth and I know me as well to stand up for what you believe in and don't be afraid to speak. So let us live in such a way that his words, his values, his courage, are not extinguished because of his death, but keep burning in us, and let us be as bold as Charlie, as principal, and as hopeful.
"May we honor Charlie not just in memory, but in how we choose to live every day for and I would also just like to say, God bless you, Charlie Kirk, and God bless the United States of America. Amen."
Attendees lighted candles before a moment of silence that symbolized unity and peace.
(Brit Connelly contributed information for this story.)
