Tribute to slain soldiers held at Dorchester Square

A memorial took place in Montreal for the two slain soldiers. (CTV Montreal / Maya Johnson)

Flowers and flags were laid in Dorchester Square in Montreal Saturday in tribute to the two Canadian soldiers killed in attacks this week in Ottawa and St. Jean sur Richelieu.

Dozens turned up wearing poppies in damp, chilly weather to mark the memory and courage of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.

Those who attended lay flowers and flags at the cenotaph, and signing a book of condolences that will be given to the families of two men.

Spokesperson for the event Antoinette Mercurio said that the gathering also aims to support the Armed Forces who “defend the freedom” of Canadians.

"I was heartbroken, and no, I never imagined anything like this happening - not the way it happened. It was just totally heartbreaking for me," said Mercurio. "When I heard that these two soldiers were murdered it felt like somebody had just killed two of my brothers. I felt such a connection to these guys, so I decided to put together something so people could go out and honour them and pay their respects."

Some said they had never felt so patriotic.

"It's what we're here for, to show our respects to the dead and make sure that everybody knows we're proud Canadians and we stand here wanting to keep our country the way it is," said one person in attendance.

One military mother said it was important for her to stand in solidarity with the grieving families.

"We are all mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, and today I feel very, very honoured being a Canadian citizen. Our children, our brothers and sisters need our support and we can't do it one by one -- we have to do it together," she said.

Retired Master Cpl. Fraser Dabney said the sentiment is appreciated by fellow soldiers and veterans.

"It's very heartwarming for all members of the military to see the citizens come out and show this kind of support and response," he said.

Cpl. Cirillo was killed by gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau while standing as an honour guard in fromt of the War Memorial in Ottawa Wednesday. Zehaf-Bibeau then stormed Parliament's Centre Block, where he was shot dead.

Two days earlier, Warrant Officer Vincent was mowed down while walking in uniform in a parking lot in St. Jean sur Richelieu. The assailant Martin Couture Rouleau then sped off, and after crashing his car, was shot by police when he brandished a knife and lunged at them.

A number of vigils took place across the country Saturday for the fallen soldiers.

With files from La Presse Canadienne