Vice President JD Vance stood front and center as Charlie Kirk's coffin was loaded off a hearse in Salt Lake City in a powerful moment on Thursday.
The vice president then led members of the National Guard carry the mahogany coffin up to the steps of Air Force Two at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, which will be used to ferry the coffin back to Kirk's home state of Arizona.
Vance will also be on the flight, along with Kirk's mourning wife, their two young children and his parents, who watched the honor unfold.
A funeral is now planned for next week, which President Donald Trump said he will attend. He added that he has spoken with Kirk's wife, Erika, and said she is 'devastated, absolutely devastated.'
Vance has also shared a powerful tribute describing Kirk as a 'true friend' - the 'kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him.'
