🎙️ Lake Forest Podcast: Vigil for Charlie Kirk at Market Square

Tonight, Lake Forest gathered at Market Square for a candlelight vigil for Charlie. Neighbors showed up. The Lake Forest Police showed up. And Pastor Jim Buckman (Faith Lutheran Church, Deerfield) had the courage to stand with us—thank you, Pastor.

But no one from city leadership came. No Mayor Randy Tack. No City Manager Jason Wicha. No aldermen. Zero leadership when presence mattered.

🙏 Thank you: Pastor Jim Buckman and the Lake Forest Police Department for showing up for the community.
🕯️ Music: “Amazing Grace,” “God Bless America.”
📖 Reflections: Faith, service, citizenship, and courage in grief.

Key Moments:
0:00 Opening & crowd welcome
0:28 Introduction (Dan Rogers); thanks to organizers Olivia Johnson & Michelle Parnell
3:08 “Amazing Grace” (community singing)
5:21 Candidate remarks – Kate McGrath
9:58 Reflections on service & citizenship – Barrett D.
18:26 Pastor Jim Buckman opens in prayer
24:26 Community prayer moment (“How can I pray for you?”)
29:09 Scripture & hope (1 Thessalonians 4)
36:25 The Lord’s Prayer
37:31 “God Bless America” (community singing)
38:31 Closing thanks & stay involved

Credits:
Organized by community volunteers (thank you, Olivia Johnson & Michelle Parnell).
Led in prayer by Pastor Jim Buckman (Faith Lutheran Church, Deerfield).
Supported on-site by the Lake Forest Police Department.

Note on Leadership:

Leaders are supposed to lead. Tonight, ours did not. Lake Forest deserves leadership that shows up in our darkest hours.