Canadian Military Veterans’ Unity Flag / Lapel Pin Update:            March 2026

By Maj (ret) Kent Smerdon CD

 

Much has been happening since the introduction of the CMVU flag project to the Wing at the 2025 Christmas Social. I want to again thank all those present for their enthusiastic response to this initiative and especially to Bill Sergeant, Gary Miner, Randy Rice and Greg Merrill who have all stepped up to assist. My thanks to all.

 

Several briefings, milestones and communications have occurred; The Barrie Royal Canadian Legion Executive has been briefed and a further update done at the most recent Veterans coffee break. Future RCL briefings include the E District Command BOD in Aurora, a tentative presentation at the upcoming Creemore Legion Mess Dinner on 18 April and at the Vets Coffee at the Coldwater Legion Branch at the end of March.

 

Project packages have been sent to the National Veterans’ of Canada Association (NVCA), the Barrie Branch of the ANAFVETs, and the Royal Military College Alumni Association. An article was published in the latest edition of the Canadian Military Colleges’ eVeritas online magazine with numerous positive comments.

 

I was recently interviewed by Dan Blakely of Barrie360 News and this podcast should be released sometime during the week of March 2nd. He is very supportive of the local veteran population and believes this idea has a great future. Dan read my book and wanted to talk about it, but we did eventually get talking about the flag.

 

The President of the Barrie Rotary Todd Tuckey is working on potential dates for presentations to the three local Rotary Clubs. Civilian support of the flag would be a great bonus.

 

Bill and I briefed RCAFA National Board of Directors via Zoom on 24 February. The project was enthusiastically received. So well in fact that they have agreed to be our major veteran’s organization “champion” to take the project further up the chain in Ottawa. A letter to the Minister of Veterans Affairs over the RCAFA Executive Director’s signature has been drafted for him to sign and forward. They have also granted us the use of the RCAFA Trust Fund through the Canada Helps portal for receiving donations for which a tax receipt will be issued. Details to follow.

 

Credit card only donations via QR Code and tax receipts will be issued. Gary Miner has been instrumental in setting up a bank account through the York Regional Police Credit Union in Aurora. Non tax receipt donations can now be made via etransfer at: canvetflag@gmail.com. As an aside, in addition to the $100 account opening fee and Gary’s $4.41 (get it? 441?) trial deposit, the first person to donate was Captain (retd) Bill (Charlie) Gladders for $100.00. He was my fave Voodoo back seater from years ago. Thanks Bill!

 

A full presentation was given and recorded at the February meeting of the Veterans Club of Barrie dinner. Response was positive to the idea and several questions were raised. Two VCB members, President John Fisher and Gale Morgan-Smith have volunteered to join the campaign committee. Much appreciated. A local flag source has been confirmed, David Farnsworth is sourcing lapel pins and the hunt is on for a reputable merchandise manufacturer. The lapel pins will be gifted to Veterans or their surviving dependents once they have been manufactured. We need more ideas, contacts, suggestions, input and letters of support to the Minister of Veterans Affairs from the Wing members. The letter can be sent to: canvetflag@gmail.com

 

Thank you and stay tuned!​

TO SUPPORT THE CMVU FLAG PROJECT Please contact: canvetflag@gmail.com -

 

For your submission of personally signed letters of support addressed to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Standing Committee on Veteran Affairs OR for further information, suggestions or comments.