But despite our reluctance to believe—or is it our inability?—heroes do exist. And Charlie Kirk was a hero. That doesn't mean he was perfect. He was a man like any other, possessed of faults and weaknesses. He was young and continuing to grow. You can still disagree with him, and there are plenty of things Charlie said that I still disagree with. But none of that should prevent you from recognising the tremendous energy, the sense of purpose and vision, and most of all the courage with which he conducted himself.
Charlie Kirk knew he was in danger. He knew he would be a target, just like President Trump. Yet he went out and did what he felt he had to do. Because he believed that truth isn't simply a "thing" that exists out there and has an independent life of its own; it won't survive without us. Truth must be spoken, and only a speaker can speak the truth.
For having the courage to speak the truth, and encouraging others to do the same, Charlie Kirk's life was cruelly taken from him. His death was a violent, shocking spectacle, which is exactly what his killer intended it to be.
The killer and his supporters, and sadly there are many of them, believed a single bullet would be the end. But they were wrong. You killed the man, yes, but not the ideal.
So long as there are men and women prepared to follow Charlie's example, to stand up and speak the truth, accepting the consequences of doing so—the risk and the reward—Charlie will live on.
That's the best way, a year later, to remember Charlie Kirk, to honour his courage and sacrifice, and to continue building the world he worked so hard to create. Keep talking, keep fighting. Never give up.