This is the
heartbreaking moment the son of the soldier who was shot to death at
Ottawa's National War Memorial is believed to have bid farewell to his
heroic father.
The
youngster, reportedly called Marcus, was pictured being carried into a
funeral home in Hamilton, Ontario, by a tearful relative on Friday in
the wake of Corporal Nathan Cirillo's remains.
Just
minutes earlier, the 24-year-old soldier's body had been transported to
the parlor in a motorcade that traveled down the Highway of Heroes in
front of thousands of people.
Cpl
Cirillo, a ceremonial guard, was shot dead at the memorial on Wednesday
by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, a Muslim convert whose motives for killing
the solider are still very much unclear.
Scroll down for video
Heartbreaking: A boy believed to be
Marcus, the son of tragic soldier Nathan Cirillo, is pictured being
carried into a funeral home in Hamilton, Ontario, by a tearful relative
on Friday in the wake of his father's remains
Tearful return: Kathy Cirillo (above) weeps as she follows the casket carrying her son, Corporal Nathan Cirillo
Tragic: In this Instagram photo, Cpl Cirillo, who was shot on Wednesday, is seen with his son and pet dog
Too young: Marcus, who was close to his soldier father, had reportedly just started Kindergarten this fall
Hero: Cpl
Cirillo (left and right), a ceremonial guard, was shot dead at the
memorial on Wednesday by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, a Muslim convert
whose motives for killing the solider are still very much unclear
Remembering a fallen man: Thousands lined the Highway of Heroes to pay tribute to Cirillo, some flying flags
During
his funeral, his mother, Kathy Cirillo, was seen openly sobbing as she
followed pallbearers carrying her son's coffin to a hearse.
She
was accompanied by other grief-stricken relatives, friends, Cpl
Cirillo's colleagues and Marcus, who had reportedly just started
Kindergarten this fall.
Thousands lined the Highway to wave the Canadian flag and remember the soldier during his journey home.
As
his body was transported, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a return
to the National War Memorial to mark the resumption of the honor-guard
deployment, which had been suspended following Wednesday's fatal
shooting.
Homecoming: Cirillo's coffin is loaded into a hearse so he can return to his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario
Saluting a hero: One solider salutes the hearse carrying 24-year-old Cpl Cirillo's body down the highway
Grieving mother: A solider comforts a heartbroken Kathy Cirillo during the funeral service for her son
Brothers in arms: Pallbearers from
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada regiment carry the casket of
Cirillo from a funeral home in Ottawa
Having fun: Cpl Cirillo is pictured playing with his young son, Marcus, prior to his death on Wednesday
Together: The pair are seen playing a video game in a heart-wrenching photo that highlights Marcus's loss
And
while Harper made no public remarks, he did take time to speak to
mourners, who gave a sustained ovation when the two guards on duty today
took their position at the memorial.
Meanwhile,
authorities seem to still be no closer to figuring out just why
Zehaf-Bibeau killed Cirillo and then opened fire on Parliament, before
being shot dead.
They
have revealed that there is currently no evidence the young man had
terrorist ties, though he does have a long history of drug abuse and
drug addiction.
Not intimidated: Canadian Prime
Minister Stephen Harper (above) was on hand as guard service resumed at
the National War Memorial Friday afternoon
Memorial: Cpl Cirillo, a ceremonial guard, was shot dead at the memorial (pictured) on Wednesday
A country cries: Mourners brought flowers to lay by the memorial to honor Cpl Cirillo's life
Alleged killer: Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, accused of shooting Cp Cirillo, is seen in his 1997 high school year book
Mourners: Harper spent some time speaking to people at the memorial but made no public statement
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2807153/Heartbreaking-homecoming-body-fallen-Canadian-Corporal-Nathan-Cirillo-returned-hometown-Highway-Heroes.html
No comments:
Post a Comment