No one will ever forget the image of President Donald Trump, fist pumping in defiance of danger, urging Americans to “Fight! Fight!” just seconds after he was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania.
No American should forget the heroism of Corey Comperatore, either.
Comperatore was the husband and father killed by the would-be assassin at Trump’s rally Saturday evening. A faithful Christian, American patriot, and former volunteer firefighter, Comperatore had been looking forward to the event since its announcement. He brought his family and spent the day making friends with everyone he met — as he always did.
When the shots rang out, Comperatore knew what those sounds meant. He didn’t hesitate. He threw himself on top of his daughter and wife, shielding them from the bullet that took his life instead. “The best dad a girl could ever ask for” — as his daughter Allyson called him — died as he had lived: protecting the innocent in the name of God, family, and country.
“The media will not tell you that he died a real-life super hero,” Allyson wrote Sunday.
But she told us. And now, we must remember. Just as much as we remember the anger we felt when we heard of the attack. And the prayerful relief when we learned President Trump was safe. We must remember Corey Comperatore’s sacrifice and courage — and his example.
Because the fact is, everything conservatives want to rescue and revive in our national culture, Corey Comperatore embodied in his life and in his death.
He was a loyal husband and loving father. He was a devout Christian who treated members of his church like they were his own family. He volunteered to serve his community. He loved his country, its history, and its freedom — and gave his life to preserve the blessings of American liberty for his survivors.
Corey Comperatore’s values — marriage, fatherhood, faith, patriotism, service, and courage — are the values on which our nation’s success has always depended.
Therefore, they must be the values we offer up in our lives as we move forward from Saturday, united — a better country building a better future.
Remember the moment. Remember the man. Lift up his family in your hearts and prayers. And fight harder than ever to live for the values he died for.
The best way we can honor Corey Comperatore’s memory is to emulate his life of sacrificial love and courage.
RIP to Butler, Pennsylvania’s Real Life Superhero.
