To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag, London veteran Bruce Stock has taken a unique approach—writing a personal letter to the flag itself.

“My dear flag, I know, I know, it’s really unusual for someone to write their flag.”

So begins Stock’s heartfelt message, a tribute to a symbol that has meant so much to him and to the country.

A Firsthand Witness to History

Stock, a retired major, vividly remembers being on duty at Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965, the day the new Canadian flag was first raised.

“It was a day loaded with historic irony,” he recalls, referencing the heated debates that had preceded the flag’s adoption. Many Canadians had questioned whether a new flag was necessary, but once the design was finalized and approved by the Queen, the doubts faded.

“Everybody was there with this wonderful sense of anticipation, and it was really cold that day,” Stock reminisces. “And after we went to the ceremonies—it happened at high noon—the flag was unfurled, and the crowd just went crazy. They loved the look of that beautiful, big maple leaf.”

Reflecting on Six Decades Under the Maple Leaf

In his three-page letter, Stock acknowledges that the flag’s journey has not been without challenges. While it has become a beloved national symbol, the past six decades have not been all sunshine and roses.

His letter serves as both a celebration of the flag’s legacy and a reflection on its enduring significance—a symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride that continues to wave strong.