Forsyth, Ga. (WGXA) — Hundreds of Middle Georgians gathered in Forsyth to honor the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk on Tuesday - what would have been his 32nd birthday.

At a press conference this week, President Donald Trump says he's awarding Kirk with a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

October 14th was also announced as a National Day of Remembrance - after a bill was introduced by Florida senator Rick Scott.

A sea of red lined Jackson Street for the "Forsyth in Red" vigil.

Folks like Jan Goen, a Forsyth native, are still reeling from Kirk's assassination over a month ago.

"It was such a shock and it was so sad," she said. "I mean, everything about that was just horrible."

She and her husband, Steve said they were moved by Kirk's faith.

"I think that he was honest and he wasn't afraid to speak the truth," she added.

As New Providence Baptist Church pastor Brian Moore spoke about standing up for how they feel - the crowd lifted their flashlights into the night sky.

Moore specifically cited a Bible verse from the book of Peter.

"The greatest way to stay humble in the midst of adversity is to know what you believe and why you believe it," he said.

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Jeremy Williford - another rallygoer - also hopes this is a chance for everybody to come together.

"The biggest thing would be unity," he told WGXA Tuesday. "I think that's what he wanted... Yeah, all he wanted was a conversation."

Forsyth mayor Eric Wilson also spoke at the vigil.

While he says conversations and dialogue are necessary to have - respect is equally important.

"We cannot allow those disagreements to fracture our shared humanity," Wilson said. "Especially when lives are lost and grief is felt - and when communities are shaken."

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WGXA reached out to Yvonne Stuart, the chairwoman of the Monroe County Democratic Party Tuesday for comment.

She said she had quote "no qualm" with people hosting the event and "every person in this country has a right to free speech."

Despite Kirk's political background, organizers said this was a "non-partisan event" and all were welcome.

You can watch the full stream on WGXA's Facebook page.