Remembering Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and WO Patrice Vincent

This year marked the 10th anniversary since the tragic deaths of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and WO Patrice Vincent.

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo lost his life while serving at the National War Memorial, and WO Patrice Vincent was killed under similar tragic circumstances.

Statements were issued by Minister of National Defence, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Prime Minister to mark this grave occasion.

“Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo are remembered for their dedication to duty and their embodiment of the values of the Canadian Armed Forces. The call to serve your nation is the highest calling. They both answered the call, and for that, our nation is forever grateful.

“Today, we remember both Warrant Officer Vincent and Corporal Cirillo, and mourn with their loved ones and the military community which was forever changed by their passing. Lest we forget,” said the joint statement by Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Remembering Cpl. Cirillo 

Cpl. Cirillo’s death came as a tragic shock to Canadians. On Oct. 22, 2014, Cirillo, who was 24 at the time, was fatally shot while standing guard at the memorial. His death took place just minutes before the shooter stormed into the Parliament Buildings.

Cpl. Cirillo’s killer, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, was later killed by gunfire.

Reflecting on this tragedy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement, “On October 22, 2014, Canadians saw terrifying pictures and videos of an attack on Parliament Hill. But there is one image from that day I remember clearly: people protecting one another as we took shelter wherever we were. I remember that, in the days that followed, political debate was subsumed by collegial support. And above all, we all remember the service and the sacrifice of those who stood guard, and those who rushed toward danger to save lives.

“That is what we remember today, and what we must never forget.”

Cirillo, originally from Hamilton, ON, was a Canadian Army reserve soldier serving with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s), based in Hamilton, Ontario.

A father of one, Cirillo’s son was six at the time of his untimely death.

Remembering WO Vincent

The death of Cpl. Cirillo came as a marked shock because the country was still reeling from the death of WO Patrice Vincent just two days prior.

WO Vincent passed away after being struck in a hit-and-run targeted incident in Quebec.  His life was senselessly taken by Martin Couture-Rouleau. Couture-Rouleau deliberately struck down Vincent and another CAF member because they were wearing their uniforms. While the other soldier survived his injuries, WO Vincent sadly succumbed.

Vincent was a 28-year Veteran of the CAF and a member of the Joint Personnel Support Unit, Integrated Personnel Support Centre St-Jean. He joined the forces as a Combat Engineer in 1985. He re-mustered and became a military Firefighter, where he was posted to various locations across Canada and served on numerous warships.