It’s been a tough week here in Canada with two separate attacks on members of the Canadian Forces that took the lives of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
Vincent was the victim of a hit-and-run on Monday in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu. He and another soldier were targeted by a driver named Martin Couture-Rouleau who was known to the RCMP as a self-radicalized individual. Cirillo was gunned down while he was part of an honour guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Wednesday. His attacker, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, would go on to open fire within the Centre Block of Parliament Hill. He was shot and killed by Sgt.-at-Arms Kevin Vickers in the Hall of Honour.
There’s been an outpouring of support and emotion from the public for these two men and for those who were impacted by the attacks. Yesterday, on Friday, people across the country watched as Cpl. Cirillo was brought home to Hamilton from Ottawa and as that was happening many stood guard at their local Cenotaphs. It was a symbolic completion of the guard Cirillo wasn’t able to finish because of the attack.
I covered the ceremony in London yesterday and took some pictures while I was there.
We stand on guard for thee
Facing forward
Stoic
Tribute
Shadows of support
Flowers for the fallen
After a week like this, let’s all take some time to think about our Canadian Forces and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. Keep your family and friends close, tell them that you love them.
Jess Brady 