Thursday, October 23, 2014

Remembering Corporal Nathan Cirillo, The Soldier Gunned Down As He Stood Guard At Canada's National War Memorial On Parliament Hill

Seconds before: A tourist snapped this photo, likely the last ever taken of Corporal Nathan Cirillo (left) before he was gunned down by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau in an attack on Ottawa's Parliament Hill on Wednesday

Standing Guard And Seconds From Death: The Last Picture Of Canadian Reservist Father, 24, Who 'Would Give Anything To Anyone' -- Daily Mail

* A tourist snapped what is likely the last photo of Nathan Cirillo, 24, taken before the horrific act of terror outside the Parliament on Wednesday
* Corporal Cirillo, father to a six-year-old son, was gunned down as he stood guard at Canada's National War Memorial on Parliament Hill
* The Hamilton, Ontario native was rushed to the hospital but later died
* Cirillo, a fitness fanatic and animal lover, served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and worked as a personal trainer and bouncer
* His mother, who is traveling to Ottawa, is 'completely broken', relatives said
* Cirillo's killer, Muslim convert Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was shot dead after opening fire while wearing a scarf at Parliament Hill on Wednesday
* Bibeau is the son of Susan Bibeau a high-ranking official on the Immigration and Refuge Board of Canada

The reservist soldier shot dead Wednesday as he stood guard at Canada's War Memorial in Ottawa was photographed by a Parliament Hill visitor mere moments before the horrific act of terror.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo is pictured in what is in all likelihood the final photo taken of the 24-year-old father before he was shot at close range and fatally wounded.

Seconds later, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot Cirillo, whose ceremonial weapon was not loaded. The soldier was rushed to a hospital, but soon succumbed to the wounds.

Twitter user Kamakazi19982 posted the photo with the caption: 'Ok so we were on a tour at the war monument in Ottawa a few minutes ago, a few seconds later there was a shooting.'

Read more ....

More News On Corporal Nathan Cirillo

Remembering Cpl. Nathan Cirillo -- Macleans
Nathan Frank Cirillo died standing guard over one of his own -- National Post
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo: Family, country mourn loss of Hamilton soldier -- CBC
Condolences pour in for Nathan Cirillo, Canadian guard shot dead in Ottawa -- The Guardian
Who Is Nathan Cirillo? Soldier Killed In Ottawa Shooting 2014 Identified -- IBTimes
Slain Ottawa Soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Honored as 'Wonderful' Man -- NBC
Heartbreaking Photo Shows Nathan Cirillo Moments Before Shooting -- Huffington Post
Ottawa Shooting: Friends of Dead Soldier Create Facebook Page 'Rest in Peace Cpl. Nathan Cirillo' -- IBTimes

My Comment: One of my closest friends served in the Governor General's Foot Guards .... they are the men who wear the bearskin hats on Parliament Hill. He calls that experience one of the best in his life .... and he especially loved the recognition and attention that he always received from the tourists. He told me last night that Corporal Nathan Cirillo must have been a very special reservist to be given the duty of being a guard at Canada's War Memorial. It is .... in every way .... sacred ground .... and only the best of the best are given the duty.

Our prayers are with Corporal Nathan Cirillo's family and loved ones.

No comments: