Mr. Smith is a retired Canadian Forces Veteran. He has been an active member of The Royal Canadian Legion since 1960 and since 1987, belongs to Branch 77 in Lakefield, Ontario. For many years, Mr. Smith has been the Branch's Service Officer and actively participates in the annual Poppy Campaign. He had gained a considerable knowledge of the benefits and services to which Veterans are entitled and as a result, he has passed on his expertise to Service Officers in other area Legion Branches. In 2005, he completed a project at the Peterborough Memorial Centre by collecting, mounting and permanently displaying hat badges from the First World War, Second World War and Korean War to honour the contribution of Veterans. In 2007, with the support of his Legion Branch, Mr. Smith lobbied the City, County and Township Councils to dedicate and rename a portion of River Road as Veterans Drive. Mr. Smith has been described as steadfast and tenacious in his support of Veterans.