In the timeless Civil War classic “Glory,” there is a gripping scene that happens just before the 54th regiment launches their attack on Fort Wagner, an assault which the men gravely understand to be a suicide mission.  The regiment is in formation on the beach when Colonel Shaw, played by Matthew Broderick, addresses his men. 

“If this man should fall (pointing to the color-bearer), who will pick up the flag and carry on?”  Thomas, the weakest soldier among them to this point, steps forward. “I will,” he says, staring into his commander’s eyes.  His fellow soldiers cheer his bravery, recognizing how strong and resolved to victory they have all become.

Charlie Kirk was the standard bearer of the conservative movement in every sense of the word.  He was unshaken in his faith, his patriotism, and his desire to preserve the best values of this country for his children. 

Charlie was a self-made man, building Turning Point USA from the ground up.  Campus by campus, one conversation at a time, he did what every political consultant told him was impossible.  He convinced college kids to be conservative. 

Charlie walked into their ivory towers and set up a table. He invited anyone to talk.  Those who disagreed with him were moved to the front of the line.  He asked them to think in ways that deviated from the monolithic leftist groupthink to which they were exclusively exposed every day.  When people screamed and called him names, he remained calm, educating and debating.  Charlie brought students over to his side by providing clarity, truth, and optimism. 

Charlie shared his wisdom with students who were lost and unsatisfied with the vitriol, self-loathing, and division they were receiving from the media and their tenured professors.  After over a decade, TPUSA has 800 chapters throughout the country, draws massive crowds, and successfully pulled the 18-29 demographic in Trump’s direction for the Presidential election.  Charlie Kirk changed the country, if not the world.

The antithesis of Charlie, of course, is his assassin, Tyler Robinson.  By all initial accounts, Robinson was raised by a loving conservative family.  He had every advantage and opportunity, received a scholarship for college, and at just 22 years old, even drove a Dodge Challenger.  He had a great life, but instead of feeling gratitude for his blessings, he delved into an online world of nihilism and toxic leftist influence.  He departed from his family and became resentful and angry.  He got himself a transgender lover.  He learned who to hate in order to prove his virtue to wretched strangers.  Everyone he disagreed with was suddenly fascist and racist.  Robinson would soon become  radicalized and ready to kill. 

Good vs. Evil

Through his faith and love of country, which shone through all he did, Charlie Kirk represented Good.  The forces that contributed to his death – the politicians who smeared his character because they couldn’t defeat his arguments, the demons who infected Robinson with the woke mind virus, the miserable people who envied, coveted and hated Charlie’s success and happiness, then celebrated his murder – are Evil.  Charlie’s death is a devestating loss, but there is faith that Good will prevail in the end.

Charlie’s wife Erika gave probably the bravest address I have ever seen to the nation last night, just two days after her husband’s murder.  She vows to continue his mission now that Charlie gave his life defending his country from Evil.  Now, the question is, who will join her and pick up the flag?  Who will fearlessly defend American principles of free speech and family values?  Even for those of us who feel unworthy to the task, Charlie’s selfless sacrifice obliges each and every one of us to respond, “I will.”