Cpl. Nathan Cirillo would have finished his shift standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Instead, he was shot and killed by Michael Zehaf Bibeau.

On Saturday, veterans around the country stood guard at local cenotaphs to finish what Cirillo started.

“We ex-military personnel are assuming the duty of the corporal who died in Ottawa,” Bob Lepine told CTV News. “His duty wasn’t complete. He didn’t get relieved, and we’re here to make sure that he finishes his duty. We’re doing it for him.”

Though Cirillo was killed nearly 5,000 kilometres away, his death was close to home for Lepine and the several others who gathered in Vancouver’s Victory Square Saturday morning.

“Even though it happened in Ottawa, it feels like it happened right here,” said Keith McAdam, who brought his son Liam to the vigil.

McAdam said he was there to show support for Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent -- who was killed in a separate incident in Montreal earlier in the week -- as well as for all his military “brothers” who had passed away.

Those who assembled in Victory Square did so in spite of the rainy weather. Like those gathered at cenotaphs in Canadian cities large and small, nothing would have kept them away.

“I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else this morning,” said veteran Tom Evans.

Evans said he had spent a lot of the morning alone with his own thoughts. Though he’s angry at those who killed Cirillo and Vincent, his message was one of hope, not revenge.

“We’re here to stand for peace,” he said. “Not for war.”