HAMILTON - Mourners wishing to pay tribute to the soldier killed at the National War Memorial in Ottawa will have a chance to express their grief today at a public visitation in his hometown.
The visitation for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo will be held in Hamilton.
Relatives and dignitaries, including Ontario's lieutenant governor, said private goodbyes to Cirillo on Sunday night.
A retired major with Cirillo's regiment, the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, said the fact that the reservist was killed on home ground only adds to the tragedy.
Don Kennedy said Cirillo, who joined the Argyles after the major's departure, loved serving his country.
Cirillo was standing guard at the monument on Wednesday when he was gunned down by a homeless man with a rifle.
His attacker, Michael Zehaf Bibeau, was shot dead by Kevin Vickers, the sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons, after he entered Centre Block through the front doors, with RCMP in hot pursuit.
Thousands of people _ some holding supportive signs or waving the Maple Leaf _ paid their respects to Cirillo as he made his final journey back to his hometown on Friday along the Highway of Heroes.
Cirillo's family issued a statement Friday evening thanking Canadians for their support.
A regimental funeral for Cirillo is scheduled for Tuesday, and he is to be buried in a field of honour at a Hamilton cemetery.
