Community Gathers Today to Honor Charlie Kirk at Vigil at the Putnam County Courthouse 4PM

by Clarissa Reaves-Williams

At just 31 years old, Charlie Kirk made a lasting mark on a generation. The conservative activist, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot last week during a Q&A session in Utah. Today at 4 p.m., friends, supporters, and community members will gather in solemn remembrance at a local vigil to honor his life and legacy.

Across the nation, similar vigils have drawn crowds of mourners carrying candles and flags, underscoring the depth of Kirk’s influence. Nearly 200 gathered in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park on Saturday, while others gathered in towns across the U.S. — including Southington, Connecticut — where bipartisan voices joined together to condemn violence and reflect on Kirk’s contributions.

Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika and their two young children. Erika has pledged to continue his work, describing him as a man devoted to faith, family, and country. Following his death, an outpouring of support has raised nearly $3 million for his family, while Turning Point USA has seen an unprecedented surge of interest, with 18,000 new chapter requests in a single day.

President Donald Trump remembered Kirk with words of both grief and admiration: “We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”

At today’s vigil, candles and prayers will serve as a testament that Kirk’s mission to speak boldly and inspire the next generation will not be silenced. Those attending are invited to reflect not only on his words and his work, but on the reminder that freedom and truth come at a cost — and his was a life lived in full pursuit of both.


Event Duration: Approximately 35 minutes
Theme: Honoring Charlie Kirk's Legacy: Empowering Youth Through Faith and Courage
Location: Cookeville Courthouse Square
Date: September 14, 2025 • 4:00 p.m.
MC: AJ Donadio



Program

  1. Opening Remarks – MC, AJ Donadio 

  2. Opening Prayer and Reflection – Pastor Steve Tiebout 

  3. Speaker 1: Congressman John Rose 

  4. Speaker 2: Cookeville Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge ( 

  5. Speaker 3: Savannah Rosbury, President of TP-USA at Tennessee Tech  

  6. Speaker 4: Emily Rich, Member of TP-USA at Tennessee Tech  

  7. Speaker 5: Havanna Davison, TP-USA  

  8. Speaker 6: Bronson Alford (“Bodittle”), TP-USA  

  9. Closing Speaker & Prayer: Timothy Olivarez, The Bend Church 


If you cannot make it join online as Cookeville Now will be Live-streaming on Facebook.