Cpl. Nathan Cirillo lost his life while serving at the National War Memorial, 2014

On my walk through Woodland Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario, I visited the grave of Afghanistan veteran and reservist, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was tragically shot at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. His attacker approached with a rifle, reportedly shouting, “For Iraq.”

Like all others who stood sentry at the memorial, Cirillo carried an unloaded ceremonial firearm provided by the Canadian Armed Forces and received no specialized training for such an attack. He had no way to defend himself against the close-range shots that took his life.

As many will remember, the assailant then entered the Centre Block of Parliament through the main doors beneath the Peace Tower. He was ultimately stopped and fatally shot by Sergeant-at-Arms and former RCMP officer Kevin Vickers.

On October 28, 2014, in Hamilton, Ontario, a solemn procession of about 4,500 people—including members of the Canadian Armed Forces, firefighters, police officers, and citizens—escorted Corporal Cirillo’s flag-draped coffin through the streets to his final resting place at Woodland Cemetery.

1989-2014