Canada’s Air Force Heritage Voice

Royal Canadian Air Force FEATURED ARTICLE – APRIL 2026

A New Canadian Military Veteran Unity
(CMVU) Flag Proposal

By Maj (R) Kent Smerden CD

After some random personal thoughts last fall and follow up research, I determined that currently, Canada’s military veterans do not have a single unifying flag, emblem, symbol or logo 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 COLOURS:

  • RED: Background – Courage, sacrifice and the bloodshed of wounded veterans and the fallen. Maple Leaf – The Nation of Canada
  • WHITE: Peace, purity and the snows of Canada

THE “V”:

Denotes Veteran in both official languages, valour or vaillance. 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:

Surrounding the red symbolizes the veterans roll in the defence of the nation’s borders. It touches the “V” at three points, symbolizing the three main branches of the CAF. It’s also touching the top of the flag represents Canada’s territory extending to the top of the globe.

PROJECT AIMS:

  1. That the flag be recognized and adopted by the Federal Government as Canada’s Military Veterans National emblem;
  2. That November be declared National Veterans Month;
  3. That the flag be flown on Parliament Hill, at Federal and Provincial Government buildings and at public schools and businesses that so choose during the month of November.

All proceeds for merchandize 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!

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, states 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 only get one day and that should change!

The veterans of 441 (Huronia) Wing are pictured holding the Canadian Military Veterans’ Unity Flag
at their Christmas Social; Kent is on the right. – (Photo by Liz Smerdon)

TO SUPPORT THE CMVU FLAG PROJECT HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO:

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;
  • For further information, suggestions, comments.

To Donate:

NOTE: ALTHOUGH MERCHANDISE BEARING THE FLAG IMAGE WILL BE SOLD, THE LAPEL PINS WILL BE GIFTED TO OUR VETERANS FREE OF CHARGE.

WE NEED FUNDING! You can do this as follows, either:

Via credit card and the CanadaHelps via the RCAF Association Trust web page. Tax receipts will be issued to the donor. There is no minimum. This page can be accessed in three ways: