麻豆影视

OTTAWA -- The young corporal who was standing sentry alongside Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the day he was killed is set to return to duty -- though he admits it won't be easy.

"I still believe Canada is a nation of peace where soldiers within its borders need not take up arms," Cpl. Branden Stevenson said in a statement Monday.

"My fellow soldiers and I remain proud and committed to watching over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a strong, silent reminder of every person who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Stevenson was at the National War Memorial on the morning of Oct. 22 when Michael Zehaf Bibeau killed Cirillo and then stormed onto Parliament Hill, where he died in a gunfight in the Centre Block.

Stevenson said he is still in shock and grieving the loss of his best friend, whom he'd known since Grade 9 and whose love of the military inspired him to follow in Cirillo's footsteps.

They were always laughing and joking about something and the morning of Oct. 22 was no different, he said.

"As we stood sentry and walked the beat, one of my socks was sagging. Nathan smiled and intentionally kept our walk going so my sock would fall a little more," he said.

"He had such an amazing personality!"

Eyewitness accounts of that morning suggested Bibeau fired at Stevenson as well, but missed. Stevenson then ran to Cirillo's side to help bystanders administer first aid.

Stevenson said he's choosing to return to work to honour Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was killed that same week in Quebec by a man with jihadist sympathies.

Funerals for both men were held last week.

Hundreds of mementoes left at the National War Memorial over the last 10 days to honour Cirillo and Vincent were removed by government workers over the weekend to prepare the site for next week's Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Stevenson said he was overwhelmed the outpouring of support.

"Nathan Cirillo was my friend, my best friend, my brother," he said. "I will miss him forever."

Corporal Branden Stevenson issued the following statement on Nov. 3, 2014

鈥淣athan Cirillo was my friend, though he was more like a brother. We met in Grade 9 and from that time on, we were pretty much inseparable. He was the first from our group of friends to join the Canadian Armed Forces and it earned him the nickname 'Army Nate.' It was his love of the Army that inspired me to join, and I remember going to his house to practice my swearing-in ceremony.

鈥淲e did everything together from hanging at the mall to going on double-dates, so it was an incredible honour when we were both chosen to come to the National War Memorial to stand-to as sentries. We were very proud to be here together watching over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honouring all those who have fallen.

鈥淥ver the past few years, Nathan and I would routinely drive around together, making jokes that no one else would understand. Neither of us had much of a voice, but that didn't stop us from singing along with every song on the radio, whether we knew the words or not. It seemed as if we were always laughing and joking about something. The morning of October 22 was no different. As we stood sentry and walked the beat, one of my socks was sagging. Nathan smiled and intentionally kept our walk going so my sock would fall a little more. He had such an amazing personality!

鈥淲hat happened shortly after left me in shock and grieving the loss of my best friend. My heart goes out to his family for the terrible loss they have to endure. I am still struggling to cope with everything that has happened. My family, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, and my extended family within the Canadian Armed Forces are helping me through this very difficult time. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from across Canada and around the world.

鈥淚n the coming days, I'll be resuming my duties at the National War Memorial. It will not be an easy task, but I am resolved to do it in honour of Nathan, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, and all those who stood, and continue to stand, on guard for Canada. I still believe Canada is a nation of peace where soldiers within its borders need not take up arms. My fellow soldiers and I remain proud and committed to watching over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a strong, silent reminder of every person who made the ultimate sacrifice.

鈥淚 now have to learn to live without someone who was closer to me than I can put into words. When I resume my post, I will not be conducting interviews with media. I appreciate, in advance, your consideration and respect for my privacy during this difficult time.

鈥淣athan Cirillo was my friend, my best friend, my brother. I will miss him forever.鈥�