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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 10, 2015 | 12 continued from p.3 were photographed urinating on the memorial during Canada Day celebrations. More recently, attention was drawn to the memorial when, on Oct. 22, 2014, a gunman opened fire on Canadian Forces sentries on duty at the tomb, fatally wounding Cirillo. The shooter then stormed Parliament Hill where he was ultimately killed by authorities. Alexander was on his way to England to participate in a training exercise when he learned about Cirillo's murder. "We were greeted by the British and they immediately gave us their condolences," he said. Guard duty made Alexander `proud to be Canadian' "It was something you'd never expect and that you would never want to have happen." More than anything else, Alexander said the shooting angered him to the point that when he had the opportunity to stand guard at the war memorial, he jumped at it. Canadian Forces sentries stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from April 9 to Nov. 11. Alexander's duties spanned June 6 to July 4. Between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Alexander and another soldier stood at the war memorial like statues in full dress uniform for one-hour shifts at a time. They stood blank-faced and were not allowed to speak. Alexander said that if the sentries begin to feel like they might faint, they are permitted to march near the memorial. The sentries stay at their posts rain or shine, but are allowed to stand inside small enclosures in the event it does rain heavily. "Most of the time, you have a lot of people coming by and taking pictures. Occasionally you have people come up and they will say a little prayer or make the sign of the cross," said Alexander. "Sometimes you have people try and talk to you, but you look past it. You have a duty to do so you stick with that. You have the odd person trying to make you laugh or something like that, but we're there for a reason so you kind of just blank out." Alexander noted the events of Oct. 22 are always in the back of his mind, but he does not allow them to interfere with his work. "For me, and I'm sure for a lot of the guys Royal tReatment pet gRooming $ 10 OFF regular grooming on DIAMOND here, it is something you think about. There is a slight fear something like that could happen again, but I think the odds of that are pretty slim," he said. "It makes me proud to be in the same spot, in the same shoes as Cpl. Cirillo." Alexander said that while the rifle he carries at the memorial is empty, it gives him some comfort to know that since the shooting, officers from the Ottawa Police Service have been assigned to watch over the sentries. With his time at the war memorial now at an end Alexander reflects fondly on the experience. He said he felt nothing but respect for his service and for the service of the soldiers commemorated by the war memorial he guards from the public. "It definitely makes me proud to be Canadian when I see people walking by, going to and from work, who will stop and pay their respects or do their thing," said Alexander. "It just makes me feel good to see there are really people out there who care for us." thuRsdays & FRidays only www.royaltreatmentpetgrooming.ca 1380 Speers Rd. Unit 4, Oakville 905-847-7297 AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! $700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR $ REDUCE 29 /mTH OAC* IN O.P.A. REbATE $400 uP TO NOW $ 1990 *Call for details Was $ 2690 DON'T PAY until 2016!* * HI-EffICIENCy AIR CONDITIONERS · Free Installation · 10 Year Factory Warranty CALL NOW, QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED! S T Y L E , S E L E C T I O N , Q U A L I T Y, E X C E L L E N C E 9 Locations to serve you better Torlys EverWood Waterproof Floor Cobble Beach Heating & Cooling www.aireone.com A+ RATING 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 recycle REUSE Get the Best Price on your next New Car Hassle Free! Visit www.carcostcanada.com first. Canada's #1 resourCe for deaLer InVoICe PrICe rePorTs. $ 69 sq. ft. v Hardwood v Laminate v Tile Tile vCork Cork Hardwood Laminate v Stone Stone 4 Denis from Oakville saved over $3,500 with his CarCostCanada Dealer Invoice Price Report. 266 Speers Road, Oakville · 905.845.8562 www.speersflooring.com Call us at 289-813-3200 special offer! oNlY $2.99