Speaking before tens of thousands of mourners at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Erika thanked the Vice President’s wife for the kind words she shared as they prepared to fly Charlie’s body home.

“I held her hand and said, ‘I don’t know how I am going to get through this,’” Erika recalled. “She told me that it was like the last 15 minutes of a flight with kids and you think, ‘I cannot wait for this flight to land,’ and it’s still 15 minutes. You will get through these 15 minutes and then the next 15 minutes.”

Erika paused, holding back tears before adding, “Those words were exactly what I needed to hear.”

Strength in Shared Faith
The exchange between the two women, one grieving, the other comforting, struck many as a reminder of the quiet bonds of faith and resilience that have surrounded the Kirk family since the tragedy.

Erika’s acknowledgment of Usha’s compassion underscored the unity that has formed among those closest to Charlie and his mission. The story spread quickly online, with supporters calling the moment “a testament to grace, friendship, and faith in the hardest hour.”

Remembering Charlie
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. His death sparked national mourning and drew tributes from political and faith leaders, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

At the memorial, Erika also reaffirmed her decision to forgive her husband’s killer, saying that “Charlie wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life.” Her words earned a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 60,000.

For many, Usha Vance’s advice, “You will get through these 15 minutes and then the next 15 minutes,” has become a message of endurance for anyone facing loss. It captured the same quiet strength that Erika has shown in the weeks since, as she carries forward both her husband’s mission and his memory.