The Lockerby Legion Branch 564 is flying a new flag outside, one designed by a veteran to represent all veterans. It was created by Kent Smerdon, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force major from Barrie. “I did some research and found that Canada does not have an officially, nationally recognized symbol for all (of) Canada’s military veterans,” Smerdon said. “I thought, well, why don’t we have one? Why can’t we have one? So I designed one.” Barrie was the first Legion to raise it, with Sudbury quickly following suit, making it a permanent installation at its cenotaph. Lockerby Legion president Doreen Thompson said they didn’t hesitate in welcoming the flag. “We hopped on it right away,” Thompson said. She said they will buy another flagpole for the Ontario flag. “So we’ll have the Canadian flag, the Ontario flag and the veterans’ flag. So, it’ll be permanent,” said Don Bethune, the second vice-president of the Lockerby Legion 564 The Legion bought flags but also donated $500 to the mission. “Ultimately, who will benefit from this is Canadian veterans,” added Gary Miner, the Veteran flag treasurer. “I’m sure Kent talked about the 460,000 Canadians (who) are registered as veterans as of the 2021 census. So we’ve got a lot of flags to move and a lot of pins to create -- and that costs a lot of money.” Smerdon said the flag sales will support supplying a free pin to every Canadian veteran across the country. “For those service members who do not serve for 12 years, they don’t get anything to wear on their person that says to the public at large that I served the country,” he said. “And so this lapel pin hopefully will fill that need.” Smerdon said he hopes to see the flag recognized nationally and by the federal government. He already has the support of Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe. “I told that to the Legion Branch 564 today that I will (push) to have this flag raised on Parliament Hill, where it can fly,” said Lapointe.
