Turning Point USA Announces Plans to Honor Charlie Kirk’s Legacy on Anniversary of Death

Remembering his life. Honoring his legacy.

Join us 9/10 at the UCCU Center on the campus of UVU with Glenn Beck, Frank Turek, and more as we reflect on Charlie Kirk’s extraordinary impact: https://t.co/DbKZifYSDz pic.twitter.com/kFZr465FKZ

— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) August 21, 2026

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The “Freedom Built to Last” event will take place at the UCCU Center, a 5-minute walk from the amphitheater where Kirk was shot last year while engaging with thousands of students during the first stop of his “All-American Comeback Tour.”

“The gathering will honor Charlie as a faith-filled husband, father, and defender of free speech,” Turning Point USA said, describing it “as a deliberate act of remembrance, and a call for students and supporters to continue his life’s work.”

Speakers will include Glenn Beck, one of the nation’s top-rated talk-show hosts and founder of Blaze Media; Frank Turek, a prominent Christian apologist and mentor to Kirk; and Andrew Sypher, Turning Point USA’s chief field officer.

Turek was standing just feet from Kirk when he was shot, as was Caleb Chilcutt, TPUSA’s UVU chapter chair at the time. Chilcutt, who is now working as TPUSA’s Beehive representative, is also scheduled to speak on Sept. 10.

Other speakers may still be announced. In statements to the Deseret News, all four confirmed speakers reflected on the profound impact Kirk had on them, building the conservative movement and influencing the direction of the country.

“The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk is the most significant American event in the 21st century,” Beck said. “It’s an honor to stand and mark it and shame on those universities who tried to bury it or ignore it.”

Kirk became the face of one of the most prominent youth outreach efforts in America. Since Kirk’s death, Turning Point USA grew even more to include more than 1 million members in thousands of high school and college chapters.

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The university’s full statement can be read below:

“Utah Valley University seeks tofoster healing for our community following the assassinationof Charlie Kirk.

While campus operations will be closed that day to provide time and space for reflection, service,and connection, the UCCU Center will remain open.Turning Point USA has engaged Utah Valley University to use the UCCU Centeron September 10for a private event.

UVU will continue listening, collaborating, and taking the time to thoughtfully support the needs of our campus community.”

Employees will receive regular pay during the closure, while members of the UVU community have been encouraged to participate in the United Way’s annual Day of Caring.

The service event will begin with a free breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Nu Skin building in Provo before participants take part in volunteer projects.

UVU has also continued working toward a permanent memorial to Kirk. A committee formed after his assassination was tasked with considering ideas from students, community members, elected officials and Kirk’s family.

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