Six months after the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at the Butler Farm Show grounds, the family of Corey Comperatore traveled to Washington for the second inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday.

Corey Comperatore was killed while shielding his family at the event. Trump survived the assassination attempt. Two other members of the crowd were injured by gunfire.

His widow, Helen, and the couple’s two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, left for Washington on Friday afternoon and arrived late in the evening. No plans were scheduled for the family until the following day.

Saturday morning, Comperatore and her daughters attended the “Patriot Awards,” which was not listed on the family’s original agenda for the weekend. The event was a short walk from the family’s hotel.

The invite was extended by Rico Elmore, a member of the Republican Committee of Beaver County and close friend of the family. Comperatore was given a “Patriot Award” at the event, much to her surprise.

“I had no idea I was receiving an award,” she said. “I was completely blown away.”

She said the “Patriot Awards” was her favorite event to attend across the entire weekend, with the exception of the inaugural parade honoring her late husband. At the venue, Comperatore got the opportunity to meet actor Jon Voight.

“When he came over to approach me, he was crying, and I just started crying,” she said. “It was probably the sweetest moment of my life.”

After receiving the award, which depicts Trump raising his fist into the air, she gave a speech to the crowd.

Later in the evening was the candlelight dinner, a formal event reserved for close supporters of the president.

“We had a beautiful evening,” Comperatore said. “It was so glamorous. To see Trump and Melania and all of those people was just beautiful.”

She was set at the table alongside the two other men injured at the July 13 rally. For her, the experience of talking to them was a cathartic moment.

“I really never met them before. This was our first meeting,” she said. “It was so nice to just finally sit and talk about that day with other people who were there.”

Sunday, the Comperatores went to the Holocaust Museum, but she had to leave due to the experience invoking “too much sadness.” In the evening, the family attended the cabinet reception.

The day started early Monday, with the family having to walk and shuttle everywhere due to road closures throughout Washington. The cold temperatures that forced the inauguration indoors further affected the experience.

“We had to do a lot of walking and we had to use shuttles to get around,” Comperatore said. “It was not fun, especially when your attire is business casual or black tie.”

Most of the day, the Comperatores were in a VIP suite that offered a bird’s-eye view of the ceremonies in Capital One Arena.

The inaugural parade evoked emotions throughout the day, but Comperatore said she “just crumbled” when she saw her husband’s helmet and jacket leading the procession.

“I felt Corey’s presence with me all day,” she said. “When Rico turned to the president and saluted him, I felt like that was Corey there thanking the president for working so hard.”

Comperatore felt there has always been a connection between her late husband and Elmore. During the shooting, Elmore jumped into action to help the Comperatore family.

“When Rico flew up there,” she said, “I felt like Corey died but came right through in Rico.”

After the parade, the family was slated to attend one of the inaugural balls, but Comperatore needed time to process and didn’t go.

The family returned to Butler County Tuesday. In reflection, Comperatore said she felt extremely blessed to be afforded the experiences of the weekend.

“I’m a country girl. I grew up in Sarver. I never, in a million years, thought I would meet Donald Trump, let alone sit at his inauguration,” she said.

Comperatore said she was especially thankful to Trump, who has been keeping a close watch over the family to ensure they were taken care of.

“That’s how much he cares. He wants us to be happy and taken care of and wants Corey to get the justice that he deserves,” she said. “He wants to see this through so that our family can try to heal.

“This is what Corey wanted. I feel like this was such a huge gift for him. I kept looking up and saying ‘it’s all for you,’ because I do know the shot that was taken was directed at the president,” she said while fighting tears. “If that bullet would’ve missed my husband, it would’ve hit Trump, and it would be a different story. He saved this country.”