Cpl. Nathan Cirillo's public visitation held in Hamilton

Robin Laffier has two sons in the Canadian military. One of them, William, is 24 years old just like Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who was killed while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa last week.

"It could've been Willy," Laffier said on Monday at the public visitation for Cirillo in Hamilton. "For us on a personal note, it really hits home."

Laffier was among the steady stream of visitors who came toMarkey-Dermody Funeral Home to pay respects to Cirillo, a reservist who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Cirillo was guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memoriallast Wednesday when a gunman approached him from behind and fatally shot him.

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The public visitation, held inCirillo'shometown, follows a private visitation Sunday night when relatives and dignitaries, including Ontario's Lt.-Gov.Elizabeth Dowdeswell, said private goodbyes to the young soldier.

Before entering the funeral home, visitors lined up to leave their remarks in a book of condolences. Beside the subdued crowd,a pile of flowers and Canadian flags steadily grew.

Two horses from Hamilton police's mounted patrol unit guarded the funeral home. Security checks were also in place, as police officers inspectedbags and patted down jackets.

Regimental funeral planned

Laffier, a veteran who served with the11thField Regiment in Hamilton, said he had performed similar ceremonial duties asCirillo. It is an assignment "a great honour" that every soldier covets.

"I've been there and done that,"Laffierrecalled. "When I did it, [I was]inflated and super proud and pumped.

"That would've been a super proud day for Nathan. It's unfortunate that such a cowardly act ruined that for him."

The visitation comes after days of mourning countrywide forCirilloand Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, who was killed after being struck in a hit-and-run attack inSt-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

Two days afterCirillo'sdeath, thousands of people lined up highway overpassesfrom Ottawa to Hamilton observing the procession that carried his body home along the Highway of Heroes.

NHL players on opposing teams also paid on-ice tributes to the fallen soldiers during pre-gameceremonies.

A regimental funeral forCirillois scheduled on Tuesday, followed by a burial in the Field of Honour at Woodland Cemetery in Hamilton.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau are expected to be in Hamilton on Tuesday for the funeral service.

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The visitation is open to the public until 9p.m. Monday.