Canadian Armed Forces name operating bases after slain soldiers

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, left, and Patrice Vincent, right, are shown in undated photos. (Facebook, Department of National Defence)

Canadian Armed Forces operating bases in Iraq and Kuwait will be named after two Canadian soldiers who were killed in violent attacks last month.

The Department of National Defence announced Monday that the bases will be named after Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

An airforce base in Iraq will be named "Camp Vincent," and an operations base in Kuwait for the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command will be named "Patrol Base Cirillo."

The department said that members of the Canadian Forces deployed to the region decided to name the bases after the fallen soldiers to commemorate Vincent and Cirillo, as well as all soldiers who have died in service on home soil.

Lt.-General J.H. Vance, a commander with the Canadian Joint Operations Command, said that the shocking deaths of the two soldiers were felt widely by all service members.

"The tragic deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo have saddened all those who wear the uniform," he said in the statement.

"The naming of Patrol Base Cirillo and Camp Vincent will allow personnel deployed to those areas -- as well as allies who visit the installations -- to mark the passing of two proud Canadians, and all those who died in the service of their country on home soil."

Vincent, 53, died on Oct. 20 after being struck by a car in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. in a targeted attack. Two days later, Cirillo, 24, was shot and killed by a lone gunman in a separate attack while standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.