Independent American Patriots Call for Prayer

On this solemn anniversary of September Eleventh, one of the greatest tragedies in American history, we confront the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk and the recent murder of Iryna Zarutska, an innocent Ukrainian refugee.  Charlie, a vibrant 31-year-old, leaves behind a young bride and two children. Iryna, fleeing war-torn Ukraine, leaves a grieving family.  One championed freedom to save young minds; the other sought it as a young mind escaping conflict. Both were taken before their time, their dreams unfulfilled. As we mourn, let us unite in seeking wisdom and healing, whether through prayer, reflection, or quiet resolve, to guide us away from the shadows of vengeance.

My personal connection with Charlie Kirk stems from assisting my daughter in founding a Turning Point USA chapter years ago.  His genuine love for every American and his tireless outreach to our youth reflected a faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to mutual respect.  This love is shown through every interaction, no matter how small.  We must honor his memory not with cries for retribution but by upholding the values of liberty and compassion he championed.

The tragic loss of Iryna Zarutska has shaken our nation, resonating with every person who seeks simply to live and let live.  Her story reminds us of our inalienable right to be free from violence and to pursue a life without oppression.  Yet, radical ideologies that divide us have infiltrated our politics, eroding the human family and challenging the natural laws that bind us as a people.  These forces threaten the very freedoms Charlie and Iryna embodied.

In searching for words to address this moment, I received an email from our Vice President, Leo Lindquist, who shared wisdom from Alexander Hamilton in 1784: “Nothing is more common than for a free people, in times of heat and violence, to gratify momentary passions, by letting into the government principles and precedents which afterwards prove fatal to themselves.” Our Founding Fathers, who endured decades of struggle to secure our rights, knew that malevolent forces exploit the emotions of the masses.  They urged calm hearts and clear minds to prevail against propaganda and division.

Charlie Kirk, a man of deep faith, worked fearlessly to free young minds from destructive ideologies, advocating for the American Dream through respectful public debate.  He never stooped to attack those who opposed him, always taking the high road. Iryna, though not in the public eye, embodied the quiet courage of countless individuals seeking liberty in a fallen world. Their lives, though different, were united by a shared pursuit of freedom.

In times of grief, anger can lead us astray.  These evil events don’t have to extinguish the good that resides within each of us.  I urge Independent American Patriots to acknowledge their sorrow but resist the pull of rage.  Let us not be defined by the actions of the wicked or forget the lessons of 9/11.  Instead, we must turn to the light of hope and wisdom, seeking guidance through prayer or reflection to navigate this treacherous path.  If we yield to division, we risk losing the very salvation we seek.

We honor Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska by becoming steadfast stewards of our nation’s promise. Let us redouble our efforts to educate our children about their inalienable rights and the eternal struggle to secure them. We must confront the anti-American ideologies that have crept into our government, schools, and even churches, not with violence but with truth.  It is not too late to save our fellow Americans from the cult of haters that permeates from Marxist Progressive ideologies that have infected politicians and manipulators on all sides of the aisle.  I call on each of us to unite, whether in prayer, meditation, or resolve, to champion open respectful debate of our differences along with other civics, history, and essential truths that define our nation as one of liberty and opportunity for all.  Let us memorialize the fallen by building a brighter future together.