JD Vance at Charlie Kirk memorial: 'Life is precious' and must be protected

At a memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sunday in Arizona, many of the speakers reflected on the value of not just Charlie's life, but of every human life.

Erika Kirk, his widow, spoke of how her husband believed in the value of those who disagreed with him. "My husband Charlie... wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life," she said, adding a powerful message of forgiveness: "On the cross, our Savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.' That young man — I forgive him."

Vice President JD Vance also spoke at the memorial, calling Kirk a "great debater... because it was the vehicle for bringing the light of truth to dark places." He shone a light on the truth, said Vance, including the truth about the value of all human life.

Key Takeaways:

• Vice President JD Vance spoke at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk on Sunday, which was attended by 100,000 people.

• In his 17-minute speech, Vance spoke about the truths that Kirk shared, including that all human lives are "precious" and that "we must fight to protect" them at every stage.

The Details:

Vance said of Charlie Kirk:

Charlie brought the truth that young people deserved a stake in the future and that they deserve to have a voice.

He brought the truth that marriage and family were the highest callings, far more important than any job or educational credential.

He brought the truth that our nation would fade unless it brought order to its neighborhoods and prosperity to its people.

He brought the truth that life was precious, and we must fight to protect it at all stages and at all times.

Kirk stood firmly against abortion, often debating on the value of every human life with those who sought to ensure abortion remain legal. During his one of his debates, Kirk was clear about the sacredness of human life at every stage, saying:

"Every human being, I believe, is made in the image of the Divine, is sacred, is unique. And if we get away from this principle as we have, we not only have moral degradation, we not only have the collapsing society around us, but it's bad for that being itself.

That being itself is unique. That being has rights. And who are we to say just because we're older that we get to murder it?"

FULL REMARKS: JD Vance Delivers Moving Tribute To Charlie Kirk At TPUSA Founder's Memorial

In his 17-minute speech, Vance also spoke about Kirk's commitment to the mission of his organization, Turning Point USA.

"The movement he created demanded more," said Vance. "It demanded courage. It demanded hard work. It demanded building. And it demanded leaders. And my friends, in Charlie Kirk, we found a great American leader."

Vance also spoke about Kirk's faith in God. "Because Charlie believed that we were all children of God, he treated everyone with grace. And that is perhaps the enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk."

He added, "Charlie brought the truth that Jesus Christ was the King of Kings and that all truth flowed from this first and most important one."