Two soldiers were on watch at the War Memorial Wednesday morning in Ottawa. The gunman chose Nathan Cirillo instead of the son of Winnipeg man Jim Stevenson.

"He was one of the reservists that was at the monument standing beside Nathan Cirillo when the despicable, cowardly act took place and cost Nathan his life, a very dear friend of my boy," said Stevenson.

His "boy" is Cpl. Branden Stevenson. Jim says, since high school, Branden and Nathan did almost everything together including training in the military together.

Stevenson says it was Cirillo who got Branden involved with the reserves in Hamilton, Ontario.

"I hope that everyone remembers him (Cirillo) for his sense of humour and for his being a genuine young man," said Stevenson.

Jim Stevenson moved to Winnipeg six years ago and runs a golf course. He says he doesn't get to see his sons back in Hamilton as often as he'd like, and seeing one of them on TV in the middle of a shooting was horrifying.

"The pictures came up on the TV at the golf course and I was talking to some people and asking them to stop talking cause I couldn't hear what they were saying,” he said.

Stevenson says he knew Branden was in Ottawa that day and began to worry, seeing all the chaos being flashed across the country.

"Immediately recognized both my boy and Nathan and that time, they announced that one of them had passed and I didn't know which one. So it was quite a difficult time," said Stevenson, tears streaming down his face.

A difficult time that lasted three hours, not knowing if it was Branden or Nathan who was killed He was relieved it wasn't his son who was killed, but devastated to know that he lost his friend.

"I've always been proud of my son. I wish I could see him right now.  When I do, I'm going to give him one big hug," said Stevenson.

If his son is strong enough, he says, he'll be able to give him a hug at Cirillo's funeral next week.