Special Charlie Kirk Honorary Recognition Withdrawn by Air Force Academy Board
Military.com | By Nick Mordowanec
Published October 17, 2025 at 7:57pm ET
Efforts by some encouraging the U.S. Air Force Academy to posthumously honor former conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk were rejected on Friday, according to the nonprofit membership organization Academy's Association of Graduates (AOG).
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck September 10 while speaking to about 3,000 attendees at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event. The assassination spawned both massive outpourings of support as well as dissention, based largely on political views.
"We are grateful to all who have taken the time to reach out by phone and email, and to those who attended today’s meeting in person, to share their views," the AOG said Friday in a statement. "The AOG Board, serving as the governing body of the Association, took the thoughtful feedback received into account.
"The Honorary Member and honorary degree motions concerning Mr. Kirk were withdrawn."
The AOG said that several hundred Air Force Academy graduates, parents and family members had contacted the association since Wednesday to share perspectives on two motions included among others during the Oct. 17 Board of Directors meeting.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/10/17/special-charlie-kirk-honorary-recognition-withdrawn-air-force-academy-board.html
