Londoners are expressing their grief a day after the shootings on Parliament Hill on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning a single rose could be seen at the foot of London's cenotaph - an expression of sorrow that soon grew.
Wendy Kevill says "It's just so sad that something like this had to happen, especially in our capital. It's heartbreaking and I just feel for everybody that had to do what they had to do yesterday".
There were poignant moments through the day, especially with the arrival of Heather Knisley, the mother of a Canadian soldier wounded in an IED attack overseas.
"It's very personal, very personal. I really didn't plan to come down here to the cenotaph, but something drew me, because my son lost his leg in Afghanistan."
For her, the attacks in Ottawa are emotional, and like many others, leave her thinking of the family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
But she is confident the commitment of all of soldiers will remain high, and she encourages them to wear their uniforms come Remembrance Day.
"They'll show up in droves, I have no doubt, more than ever. Every year, it's grown bigger."
At the the Royal Canadian Legion Victory Branch 317, veterans were subdued and thoughtful as they reflected on the deaths of two Canadian soldiers this week.
John O'Quinn, a member of the Remembrance Day committee, says, ""Some of us feel, 'Let's not overreact.' At the same time we have to realize this is serious and everyone is concerned. I'm sure that the police, knowing what's taking place, on Remembrance Day they'll take some action."
