Twelve hours after she first arrived in Glendale, Ariz., to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial, Carol Laughlin said the experience of her day was overwhelming.
Ms. Laughlin, 56, took a last-minute flight from Colorado Springs to Arizona, and arrived at State Farm Stadium on Sunday at around 5 a.m. Soon after, she began sharing updates on Facebook, posting videos of thousands of people gathered outside in the darkness.
She also shared photos of a visit the previous day to the headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix, featuring dozens of American flag balloons propped up along a fence surrounded by dozens of bouquets.
On Sunday morning, Ms. Laughlin was concerned that she might not make it inside to see the ceremony. But, she said, “We were fortunate to be in the right place in line.”
The anticipation would continue to build over the next five hours. She spoke with those seated near her, supporters who had also traveled far for the occasion. They came with a like-minded purpose: to honor a man whose views on politics and faith aligned with their own.
When the program began, Ms. Laughlin took videos of the singers who performed ballads for the crowd, and shared those on Facebook, too. She said she was moved when Erika Kirk, Mr. Kirk’s widow, said during her speech that she forgave the man who killed her husband. “It was one of the most powerful and humbling moments I’ve ever witnessed,” Ms. Laughlin said.
She added that those visceral sensations helped ward off any fatigue from her long day. “Honestly, I didn’t need coffee or a nap — the anticipation of hearing the speakers and their stories kept me wide awake,” she said. “I felt so honored to be here that the tears and emotion carried me through.”
As the ceremony came to a close, Ms. Laughlin posted another video, this time of President Trump speaking to the packed arena. She captioned it “God bless the U.S.A.”
“For me, being here among thousands of others who share such deep respect for Charlie has been both humbling and uplifting,” she said. “It’s a day I will carry with me for a long time.”
Chelsia Rose Marcius is a criminal justice reporter for The Times, covering the New York Police Department.
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