LETTER: Kirk’s message echoed over his faithful followers at vigil 

To Ozaukee Press:

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities,”

—Voltaire.

On Sept. 10, Voltaire was again proved right, when from among those who believed the absurdities rose a young man to commit the atrocity—assassinating Charlie Kirk.

Charlie Kirk impacted many in our community with his courage and, above all, his Christian faith, which informed his life and work. His faith, his incredible youthful intellect and his courage to share them openly attracted all ages and walks of life to Charlie’s events during his life and in death to vigils across the nation. He was considered the most influential voice in America next to Trump. 

In Grafton, a crowd gathered on Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park for a vigil. “I am Charlie Kirk, welcome!” echoed many times as the crowd embraced one another, sang songs that reflected Charlie’s spiritual journey and listened to a curation of Charlie stories and Biblical scripture of both Christian and Jewish origin, just as Charlie would have it.

There were laughs, tears and embraces —the human touch is an irreplaceable

tonic for hurt. As goodbye was said to one friend, many new friends were made. The vibe of a grand community event was in the crowd from start to finish, with chants of “USA” and “Charlie” echoing down the riverbanks.  

The event was a great opportunity to understand Charlie’s mission with his organization, Turning Point, and why it resonates with so many young people: faith and courage, strong families, listen to and respect each other, never hate another human. This was the real Charlie his haters detested and cannot kill. 

  Charlie left a few messages behind in his writings, events, conversations and life. Let’s listen to his voice now stilled:

Build faith in a creator who is greater than you and a life of courage. Speak boldly but graciously to call out what you know to be absurd. Read, listen well and challenge your own thoughts with others’ comments and ideas. In your brief contact with the world, make your time valuable, leave everything and everyone better than you find them. Love your neighbor as yourselfand, above all, love God.  

Susan Haydock

Grafton