Canadians have gathered along the Highway of Heroes to honour the sacrifice made by Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
Cirillo was murdered Wednesday in an attack on the heart of the nation's capital in which gunfire echoed through the halls of Parliament.
On Friday, Canadians came together on windy overpasses and crowded shoulders as Cirillo's body made its way home to Hamilton and his family.
Highway of Heroes 🍁 #OttawaStrong #RIPNathanCirillo pic.twitter.com/TK75B9eudO
— MegGal (@meganhgallagher) October 24, 2014Waiting at Exit 509 Highway of Heroes - Brighton pic.twitter.com/Kn5qbSarUu
— Adrian Ellis (@thinkinthebox) October 24, 2014A little further down the Highway of Heroes. #CanadaStrong pic.twitter.com/e9ZmqW1Kbc
— up! 99.3 (@up993) October 24, 2014Torontonians lining the overpasses on the Highway of Heroes for Cpl. Nathan Cirillio. So much love for this country. pic.twitter.com/VvS0YXAqmU
— Lisa Tubb (@GryphChaser5) October 24, 2014
(Credit: Patrick Doyle/CP)
(Credit: Nathan Denette/CP)
While police have warned motorists not to stop along the highway, the hearse carrying Cirillo's body has been met with a crush of Canadians.
Procession for Corporal Nathan Cirillo, if you are driving, please move to the right to allow them to pass, do not stop or get out-Thank you
— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP_GTATraffic) October 24, 2014re pt, as pics suggest, Canadians don't listen too well when they want to salute the fallen pic.twitter.com/39TxOUm0Nk
— Stephen Saideman (@smsaideman) October 24, 2014Firefighters have erected massive cranes to carry the Maple Leaf.
EVERY single overpass packed w/ supporters. fire crews proudly hoisting flag on a ladder #CanadaStrong @CityNews pic.twitter.com/WRcas2tUgW
— Tammie Sutherland (@citytammie) October 24, 2014Une photo croquée le long de la 416... un bel hommage du service d'incendie au caporal Nathan Cirillo #ottawa pic.twitter.com/PnGfIrOS5N
— ICI Angie Bonenfant (@Angie001974) October 24, 2014@andersoncooper tribute to Cpl Carillon along his journey on Highway of Heroes. Please RT pic.twitter.com/DLFLAG7xKj
— Cale Nicholson (@cale905) October 24, 2014Cars and flags lining the 416 waiting for Cpl. Cirillo to make his way back to Hamilton along the Highway of Heroes. pic.twitter.com/bzYejA4RsB
— Jonathan Gravel (@gravel_jon) October 24, 2014Just entering #Ottawa on 416 - tearing up. Thank you to all who serve. #OttawaStrong #OttawaShooting #CanadaStrong pic.twitter.com/er8AJCLpQM
— Orsha Magyar MSc RHN (@neurotrition) October 24, 2014
(Credit: Patrick Doyle/CP)
Members of the emergency services are also paying tribute.
@ottawaparamedic manning the overpasses on the Veterans Memorial Hwy and Highway of Heroes #LODD #OttawaShooting pic.twitter.com/Sl51P16mRp
— OttawaParamedics.ca (@Ottawa_9_1_1) October 24, 2014As are politicians
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on the highway named for him. Heading home. Rest well. pic.twitter.com/IQNaLMA6CB
— James Moore (@JamesMoore_org) October 24, 2014Joined thousands of Canadians who have lined the route to pay our respects to Corporal Cirillo pic.twitter.com/G7QhHCPrBL
— Tim S. Uppal (@MinTimUppal) October 24, 2014And dogs (who he cared so much about)
Paying respects to Cpl Nathan Cirillo as he passes by on the Highway of Heroes. pic.twitter.com/skGhgheHHr
— Gordon (@GoldGord) October 24, 2014And his fellow soldiers.
Our #veterans standing proud #CFBTrenton #CanadaStrong pic.twitter.com/lindAT0PA8
— Dawn Marie (@inkdgirl55) October 24, 2014
(Credit: Patrick Doyle/CP)
May we never forget his sacrifice
And that of his family.
Kathy Cirillo, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo's mother, follows the casket carrying her son, two days after he was shot dead by a gunman while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa. (Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
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