One year ago today, we received the devastating news that Andrew Breitbart had passed away at the young age of 43. America lost a patriot, thousands of those within conservative media lost a mentor, all of us lost a loyal friend. Andrew was one in a million.
One of the ways we all seek to honor Andrew is to carry out the legacy he left behind. He wasn't content for a second to remain silent, and was fiercely protective of those he called friend.
It was our honor to have Andrew with us for Smart Girl Summit 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. Little did we know it would be his final summit. Andrew spoke at our Friday banquet and in true Breitbart fashion, provided plenty of laughs and enough motivation to last many of us a lifetime.
The next day, Andrew graciously joined one of our afternoon summit sessions for a heart-to-heart, and then stuck around for a lengthy Q&A session, giving our members a rare opportunity--one they won't soon forget. Below is just a portion of that afternoon session:
It's not often in life that we have the opportunity to meet someone that is as full of passion as Andrew Breitbart was. His love of country, his desire to tell the truth, and his passion for life was contagious. For many, Andrew's passing was a wakeup call. So often, it's easier just to depend on those around us who we believe are far more capable than we are of taking a stand for liberty. For others, Andrew's death was a sort of passing of the torch. Andrew taught us to be different, to be passionate, to be ever-mindful of what we are fighting for. He never seemed to tire of the fight, he never retreated.
In honor of Andrew, may we continue the fight for liberty. May we keep the torch lit, and hold it higher than ever.
"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt
Question: How did Andrew Breitbart influence you? Share your memories below!
Jennifer Leslie commented
2013-03-01 16:53:55 -0500
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It. seems like the right was drifted and fallen into infighting since he passed. Yes, he was a fighter against posers and fakes, but he understood the importance of having the backs of other conservatives, even if you don’t agree 100%.
What really hit home for me was when we said that his litmus test was asking conservatives their thoughts about Sarah Palin. He made it clear that this was not an endorsement, but those who trashed her were people he would not want to be in a foxhole with in this war. It made me look at myself and question if I was the kind of person other conservatives would want in their foxhole and changed my whole perspective. He moved the ball with humor and fierce determination, and he motivated a generation of young conservatives that are still fighting the fight. We was truly exceptional, and his death was devastating.
