THE CANADIAN MILITARY VETERAN UNITY (CMVU) FLAG
Major (Ret’d) Kent Smerdon CD
“FOR CANADA’S VETS”
PROJECT MOTIVATION:
After some personal thoughts last fall and some comprehensive research, I determined that currently, Canada's military veterans do not have a single unifying flag, emblem or symbol that would identify them as such to the public at large.
Those who have retired with sufficient time in uniform have their CDs, perhaps other medals and awards of distinction and their service pins. The newer service pins have added crowns to the bronze, silver and gold versions depending on lengths of service. Other than fellow veterans, it could be stated with some confidence that the general public would fail to recognize a service pin let alone what the pin means and what it stands for. Those who served with honour and diligence and were honourably discharged with less than 12 years of service may be very proud of their service but have nothing to show for their duty except a Certificate of Service or a CF-One card.
At Remembrance Day Parades and other days or functions commemorating wartime events, we put on our medals, we fly the Canada Flag, the CAF Ensign, the Legion Banner, unit, branch or affiliation flags, colours and badges etc., and of course, all wear the poppy during Remembrance Week. Then, all is put away for another year after the solemn ceremonies on the 11th and veterans virtually disappear from view.
According to the 2021 census, there are over 460,000 veterans living in Canada. There are close to 80 different veterans’ organizations in the country, the majority of them are organized around veterans of specific trades, classifications, units, branches or specialties. Yet there is no single emblem, universally recognizable, that Canadian military veterans can wear all year round that identifies them as such. Baseball hats, T-shirts etc. that sport military emblems can be purchased and worn by anyone. Vehicles with veteran licence plates are not always driven by veterans themselves. Even though there are dozens of veterans’ associations and regardless of service, branch, squadron, battalion, ship, or unit to which veterans are both loyal and justifiably proud, once retired, ALL are veterans. We all become the same in that sense.
There is a need for a wearable unifying symbol for Canada’s military veterans that would more publicly identify them (if they choose) and recognize their service to the nation and to the citizens of Canada. This emblem could do this.
THE CANADIAN MILITARY VETERAN UNITY FLAG
Smerdon©2025
“SIMPLICITY, INCLUSIVITY, CLARITY”
FLAG SYMBOLISM
COLOURS:
RED: Courage, sacrifice and the blood shed by our wounded veterans and the fallen.
WHITE: Peace, purity and the snows of Canada
THE “V”:
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Denotes Veteran in both official languages, valour or vaillance.
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The base denotes the solid foundation afforded by the rock of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Shield and the Rocky Mountains.
THE WHITE MAPLE LEAF:
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Surrounding the red symbolizes the veteran’s role in the defense of the nation’s borders.
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Touching the “V” at three points symbolizes the three main branches of the CAF.
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Touching the top of the flag represents Canada’s territory extending to the top of the globe.
PROJECT AIMS:
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That the flag be recognized and adopted by the Federal Government as Canada’s Military Veterans National emblem;
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That November be declared National Veterans Month;
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That the flag be flown on Parliament Hill, at Federal and Provincial Government buildings and, at their discretion, at public schools and businesses during the month of November.
All proceeds for merchandise bearing the flag will go to veterans’ needs. The lapel pin version will be gifted only to veterans and qualified family members as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
To accomplish these worthy aims, we need YOUR personal or organizational support. See last page for details.
SUMMARY:
I strongly believe that this concept is long overdue. Virtually all who are aware of this project enthusiastically agree that Canada's military veterans be granted a unique and distinguished symbol to show or wear year-round if they wish. My vision is the flag design, worn as a lapel pin by veterans, proclaims to any onlooker in a striking yet respectful manner that "I served Canada in uniform". I would like to see the day when ALL Canadians know what this symbol means, who wears it, and why. Several Canadian causes or campaigns have flags, banners and entire months granted to them. Veterans get one day…and that needs to change.
TO CONTACT US
For suggestions, comments or questions, contact: canvetflag@gmail.com
Visit our website at: https://www.barrievets.com/cmvu-flag
DONATIONS/FLAG SALES WILL FUND THE LAPEL PINS WHICH ARE TO BE GIFTED TO OUR VETERANS. DONATIONS OF $500 OR MORE WILL BE ENTERED ON OUR VIRTUAL DONOR WALL
TO ORDER FLAGS
Numbered, signed and dated flags with grommets are offered in two sizes; 3X6Ft or 18X36 inches with a baseline donation amount of $100 and $50 respectively. Donations over and above will be gratefully accepted.
Contact canvetflag@gmail.com to request a flag ordering form to be sent to you OR click on the QR code below:
FLAG DONATION/PAYMENT OPTIONS:
#1 Via E-Transfer to canvetflag@gmail.com. There is no minimum. However, tax receipts will not be issued.
#2 Via cheque to “Canadian Veterans Flag” and mailed to:
Treasurer: CMVU Flag Project
154 Lillian Crescent Barrie ON
L4N 5X5
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL
When payment is received, your flag(s) will be shipped to your address.
TO DONATE ONLY:
IF YOU WISH TO DONATE BUT YOU DO NOT WANT A FLAG.
Via credit card and the Canada Helps - RCAF Association Trust web page. Tax receipts will be issued to the donor. This page can be accessed in three ways:
A.Type “RCAFA Trust” into your browser. Scroll down and click on the Canada Helps-RCAFA Trust page. Click on “Campaigns(5)” at the top and scroll down to “Canadian Military Veterans Flag”. Follow the prompts.
B. By copying and pasting the link below into your browser.
C. Via this QR code. It will take you directly to the campaign donation page:
March 2026
Canadian Military Veterans’ Unity Flag / Lapel Pin Update:
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.