"I am Charlie Kirk"
This past Sunday nearly 1500 people gathered to remember the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA. The crowd was so unexpected that event organizer, Sam Krieg, also a staffer for Turning Point Action, commented to the Ozaukee Chronicle afterwards that the response was "so incredibly unexpected" and that there was a palpable sense of community and love during the event. Organizers had originally expected a small crowd in the dozens but were shocked when thousands descended on Veterans Memorial Park in Grafton on Sunday. Below is a letter to the editor that was sent in and signed "Charlie Kirk"
“Hi, I am Charlie Kirk.”
The words rang out across Veterans Park, Echoing through the trees, carried by river wind and reverent silence. A vigil in remembrance—not just of a man, but of a movement. One to two thousand came. They rode, walked, drove from every corner of southern Wisconsin.
Parking lots overflowed. School lots filled. People walked in, shoulder to shoulder,
Because something sacred was happening.
The crowd was young.
Not the usual seasoned voters—
This was the 12-to-30s.
They brought flowers, made signs,
Signed up to join Turning Point.
They didn’t want to imitate Charlie.
They wanted to be Charlie.
Not cookie-cutter copies,
But proud Americans,
Faithful sons and daughters,
Returning to church,
Returning to purpose.
Music rose.
Prayers were spoken.
Chants of “USA” and “CHARLIE”
Reverberated off the riverbanks.
A peaceful calm settled in.
A feeling of community,
Of something larger than grief.
They crossed the bridge in tens,
Not just to say goodbye,
But to take up the mantle.
To become the next voice,
The next hand,
The next heart.
They dressed with care.
Carried bouquets like offerings.
Each one waiting to share
Why Charlie mattered.
Why his message would live on.
Police stood quietly at the edges—
Guardians of peace.
We thanked them.
No one left early.
They hovered around Sam,
Who spoke with fire in his belly.
Luke couldn’t be there—
He was living the message:
Faith, Family (caring for his ailing grandmother), and Country.
They are the young lions
Of the Republican Party of Ozaukee.
Our own Charlie Kirks.
I saw no garbage, no bottles, no scraps.
Just calm.
Someone sent chairs—who was that?
No one knew.
But thank you.
Your kindness was felt.
I left reignited—
To pray,
To honor my family,
To uphold the Constitution.
If you don’t know Charlie,
He may be walking past you—
Handing out flyers,
Running for office despite a full schedule,
Writing postcards reminding you:
Your vote matters.
Know your candidates.
We vote not just for today,
But for the future.
