One of the teenagers who urinated on the National War Memorial on Canada Day showed up Friday at the head office of the Royal Canadian Legion in Ottawa and tearfully apologized for his actions.

"The young man apologized to the legion, the veterans of Canada and the citizens of Canada," Bob Butt of the Royal Canadian Legion's headquarters told the Canadian Press.

Stephen Fernandes at his home in Dorval, Que., on Friday.
(CBC)

"The apology was definitely heartfelt. I know that it was real, and I know it was heartfelt and I know the young person was definitely sorry."

He added that the apology was accepted.

"The actual act is inexcusable, but that doesn't mean that if someone wants to come and make amends that we would turn that down. We're not ogres, we're not vigilantes," Butt said.

Another teen photographed doing the same thing has passed on an apology through the Ottawa police.

The two young men won't face charges because they have agreed to make apologies and do community service.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Stephen Fernandes of Montreal has been charged with mischief on Friday after he was photographed allegedly urinating on the National War Monument during Canada Day celebrations.

If found guilty, Fernandes could face a maximum penalty of two years less a day in jail.

Police say the suspect called investigators to turn himself in after they published photographs of him on their website. He has been released with a first court appearance scheduled for Aug. 1.

Michael Pilon, a retired Canadian Forces officer, photographed three people urinating on the monument.

Images prompt outrage

The Canada Day images, which were published by various media outlets, prompted outrage across the country.

The incident has renewed calls by veterans groups for better security at the memorial near Parliament Hill. It honours the country's war dead and holds the remains of the Unknown Soldier, returned to Canada from France in 2000.

Meanwhile, a veteran in Ottawa who ran a series of local newspaper ads asking for volunteers to watch over the National War Memorial says he has received a disappointing response.

Dave MacNaughton asked people to contact him if they were interested in helping to protect the monument.

He says he has received about half a dozen messages since placing the ad on Wednesday. All but one forgot to leave a number where they could be reached.

With files from the Canadian Press