WATCH: A visitation is being held for Corporal Nathan Cirillo who was gunned down in Ottawa while guarding the National War Memorial. Carey Marsden reports.
HAMILTON – Mourners wishing to pay tribute to the soldier killed at the National War Memorial in Ottawa will have a chance to express their grief today at a public visitation in his hometown.
The visitation for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo will be held in Hamilton.
Relatives and dignitaries, including Ontario’s lieutenant governor, said private goodbyes to Cirillo on Sunday night.
READ MORE: RCMP say Ottawa gunman made video of himself before the attack
A retired major with Cirillo’s regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, said the fact that the reservist was killed on home ground only adds to the tragedy.
Don Kennedy said Cirillo, who joined the Argylls after the major’s departure, loved serving his country.
Cirillo was standing guard at the monument on Wednesday when he was gunned down by a homeless man with a rifle.
His attacker, Michael Zehaf Bibeau, was shot dead by Kevin Vickers, the sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons, after he entered Centre Block through the front doors, with RCMP in hot pursuit.
READ MORE: Blaney: Clarity, not resources, is what Canada’s intelligence agencies need
Thousands of people – some holding supportive signs or waving the Maple Leaf – paid their respects to Cirillo as he made his final journey back to his hometown on Friday along the Highway of Heroes.
Cirillo’s family issued a statement Friday evening thanking Canadians for their support.
A regimental funeral for Cirillo is scheduled for Tuesday at noon at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton. The public is invited to honour Cirillo along the funeral procession route, starting Bayfront Park at 11 a.m. ET. People who want to watch the funeral service are invited to do so at First Ontario Centre (101 York Boulevard), as the church service is for invited guests only.
Cirillo will be buried in a field of honour at a Hamilton cemetery.
READ MORE: How to watch the funeral for Ottawa shooting victim Nathan Cirillo
Comments