Scores of people turned out in Hamilton, Ontario last night for a hilltop ceremony to honour Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a reservist soldier gunned down one year ago today, as he stood guard at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill.

The tribute included a marching of the colours, a monument of light, and words from the padre of Cirillo’s regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

“Nathan was a proud soldier and a kid at heart. He loved being the center of attention and loved animals. He loved challenges and change. He loved adventure and risk, but most of all, Nathan loved. He loved his family and friends, and anyone that knew him, knows how much love there was behind that perfect smile,” said Cirillo’s sister Nicole, who also spoke at the event.

A service will be held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa at 11 o’clock this morning to honour Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was run over and killed two days earlier by an Islamic extremist convert southeast of Montreal.

The service will feature a 21-gun salute and a CF-18 flypast. It will be attended by Governor General David Johnston, outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau, along with the Cirillo and Vincent families.