It is with deep sadness that I salute the life of Cpl. Nathan Frank Cirillo, infantry reservist of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Prince Louise’s), killed today in Ottawa by a radicalized Canadian citizen. That despicable person shall not be named here lest it sully the honor of a good man proudly standing at Ceremonial Guard before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Canada’s National War Memorial.
It is perhaps a small justice that a man believed to be the same man who committed this murder was himself killed in a shoot out inside the Center Block of the Canadian Parliament buildings. Parliamentary Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers is being credited with shooting the terrorist in the midst of a short exchange of gunfire in which no other loss of life was experienced. Mr. Vickers is to be congratulated for his heroism in the face of danger. The Sergeant at Arms is the chief of Parliamentary security.
I am a proud Canadian. I have stood before the War Memorial and the Tomb. I have walked the Hall of Honor. I have viewed both the House of Commons and Senate Chambers. I have been to the top of the Peace Tower. I am proud to have done so.
I can think of no higher privilege than to salute and remember Cpl Cirillo for his willingness to serve.
Ron Stotyn, PhD
I am a retired college professor and former broadcast journalist. I live in Vermont with my wife. I write near the shores of Lake Champlain. As an author I cast characters in the task of anti-terrorism efforts. The setting for my stories is Canada. My first novel is The Chechen's Revenge, a story of Sean-Guy O'Dwyer-Lariviere and his team of Canadian Anti-terrorism Service agents on the trail of a rebel Chechen, determined to create havoc and death on Toronto's Go Train system. The Chechen's Revenge is now in print and can be ordered online at https://mkt.com/northof49publishing.
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