Hundreds Honor Corey Comperatore, Heroic Ex-Fireman Slain at Trump Rally

Family, friends, and the general public continue to mourn the shooting death of Corey Comperatore, a former firefighter who died during an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump Saturday. Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil Wednesday night at Lernersville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania, to remember and celebrate Comperatore's life. The hero was killed while laying over his wife and daughters in an effort to shield them from gunfire.

Among them was Pastor John Neyman, a local preacher with ties to the community. Neyman was invited to speak at the event, and he told CBN News he shared an important message about the power of forgiveness and of Comperatore's courage. Neyman did not know Comperatore personally but said the former firefighter's friends and loved ones described him as a man who truly loved his family. "Cory loved family," Neyman said, citing comments from Comperatore's best friend. "He loved Jesus, and he loved the freedom that we have in the United States and such."

The pastor said it was powerful hearing from those who knew Comperatore and who spoke about his wonderful character and kindness, calling him a "man who was full of life." One message Neyman wanted to drive home in his CBN News interview was the importance of forgiving others. "We have to make sure that we forgive," he said. "That's all part of being a Christian, and right now people are struggling, but we have to forgive one another and forgive those who may hurt us deeply." Ultimately, Neyman wants the community to remember that "God indeed truly is sovereign" regardless of what happens. The preacher wants to inspire people to live in truth and to live fully for Jesus.

"God is in control," he said. "We have to trust that. We have to trust that God and His goodness, God and His wisdom, God and what His plan and purpose was for Corey or for any of this. We have to remember that we are here for God and Corey ... he gave us a good model for that."

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