By Congressmen Col. August Pfluger, USAF (USAFA 2000) and Don Davis
As members of Congress from opposite sides of the aisle, we have the privilege of serving together on a united front as U.S. Air Force Academy graduates and congressionally appointed members of the USAFA Board of Visitors. In this capacity, we had the honor of serving alongside Charlie Kirk, who was a presidential appointee to the Board.
Just a few weeks ago, we spent two days with Charlie at the Academy for Board meetings. Our task as Board members is to ensure the Academy is maintaining a gold standard of excellence by inquiring into the morale, discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and any other matters relating to the Academy that the Board decides to consider.
In those two short days, we saw a man who cared deeply about his role as a Board member to strengthen the Academy and support the next generation of service members.
What stood out most was Charlie’s encouragement to cadets to think critically, serve with honor, and lead with character. These are values we can all agree are essential for those who wear the uniform and defend our nation.
We saw Charlie’s impact up close. At dinner with cadets, we watched as they flocked to him. His presence alone drew them in, and his support for the Cadet Wing was evident.
Throughout our visit, Charlie continuously reminded the cadets that to serve this country, they must understand what it means to be American, to know the Constitution, and to love this country to the extent that, if necessary, they would be willing to die to protect it.
Charlie’s commitment as a Board member went far beyond words. He was deeply concerned about the ongoing restoration delays at the Cadet Chapel and made it his mission to ensure it was completed. The Chapel serves cadets of all faiths, from Protestant to Catholic to Jewish to Buddhist, and even includes two all-faith worship rooms.
It is no secret that Charlie was a man of faith who leaned on the Lord and preached the gospel in everything he did, but he also believed in the constitutional right to freedom of religion. His dedication to restoring the Chapel reflected both beliefs, as well as his understanding of the importance of one’s spiritual life on their morale and resilience.
Charlie’s closing remarks at the Board meeting were powerful. He spoke about American exceptionalism and truly inspired all in attendance. He stressed that cadets should leave the Academy with much more than battleground training; they should leave with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and strong resolve that America is worth defending.
And now, Charlie is tragically no longer with us. On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was murdered in an act of political violence, and we want to make it clear that America is not a nation that settles political differences with violence. And those who make threats of further violence must be held accountable.
Our founders envisioned that political discourse would be marked by respectful, civil debate. Charlie lived that vision. He welcomed honest conversation, especially with those who disagreed with him.
Political violence is an assault on American values and has no place in our country. As Charlie always said, “When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence.”
We pray his words, his life, and his legacy will serve as a wake-up call. We must come together as Americans to condemn political violence.
Before the Board meeting, we all bowed our heads in prayer, asking God to guide us in our work to support the men and women who will one day serve our country. Now, we bow our heads again, in mourning and memory of Charlie Kirk, praying for his family and for our nation.
Charlie Kirk believed in America. He believed in service and in the power of ideas.
As Americans, we must condemn political violence in all forms. Violence must never replace dialogue if we want America to remain the beacon of freedom and hope across the world.
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August Pfluger, a Republican, serves Texas’ 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Don Davis, a Democrat, serves North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
First published in Stars and Stripes
“Make sure USAFA cadets can articulate and feel in their soul American Exceptionalism” –Charlie Kirk
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