Second Annual Under the Maple Leaf Ceremony Honours the Stories Behind Canada’s Flags

OTTAWA, ON – June 2026 — After an inspiring first year that saw Canadians from across the country send retired Canadian and provincial flags to Ottawa, along with personal stories of service, sacrifice, family, and community pride, Beechwood Cemetery, the National Cemetery of Canada, is once again inviting Canadians from coast to coast to coast to participate in the Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag program.

Launched in 2025, the program quickly became more than a flag retirement initiative. It became a national expression of remembrance and identity.

Over the past year, Canadians entrusted Beechwood with flags that had flown over family homes, schools, businesses, municipal buildings, military bases, Legions, places of worship, community organizations, and special events. Along with the flags came stories of military service, immigration journeys, community celebrations, personal milestones, and generations of pride in Canada.

Some flags had welcomed loved ones home from overseas deployments. Others had flown during citizenship ceremonies, Canada Day celebrations, and community commemorations. Many had weathered decades of Canadian seasons before reaching the end of their service.

Each flag carried a story.

Each story reflected what it means to be Canadian.

“As the National Cemetery of Canada, we were deeply moved by the response from Canadians during the first year of this program,” said Nicolas McCarthy, Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Outreach at Beechwood Cemetery. “People didn’t simply send us flags. They shared memories. They shared family histories. They shared stories of service, belonging, and pride. Those stories reminded us that the Maple Leaf is much more than a symbol. It is part of our collective Canadian story.”

Today, Beechwood is inviting Canadians once again to search their homes, cottages, schools, workplaces, community centres, and Legion branches for worn, faded, torn, and unserviceable Canadian and provincial flags and send them to Ottawa to be respectfully retired.

A National Responsibility

As the National Cemetery of Canada, Beechwood considers it both a privilege and a responsibility to provide Canadians with a dignified and respectful method of retiring these important national symbols.

In accordance with guidance from Canadian Heritage, cremation remains a respectful and appropriate method for retiring unserviceable flags. Each flag received is treated with care and retired using Beechwood’s modern cremation facilities in a manner that upholds the dignity of the symbol while respecting environmental best practices.

Send Your Flag

Canadians from every province and territory are encouraged to participate.

Flags can be mailed to:

Honour Our Flag
c/o Beechwood Cemetery Foundation
280 Beechwood Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1L 8A6

Canadians are also encouraged to include a note sharing the story of their flag and what it meant to them, their family, or their community.

Join Us for the Second Annual Ceremony

The flags collected throughout the year will be honoured during the second annual:

Under the Maple Leaf – Respecting the Canadian Flag

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
7:00 p.m.
National Military Cemetery of Canada
Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa

The ceremony will include:

• A procession of retired flags from across Canada
  • Participation by Veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • Reflections on the meaning of the National Flag and provincial flags
  • The raising of a new Canadian flag
  • A dignified flag retirement ceremony

More Than a Flag

The National Flag of Canada has flown over moments of celebration and moments of sacrifice. It has welcomed newcomers to citizenship, honoured Veterans, represented Canada abroad, and united communities at home.

The stories shared during the first year of this initiative demonstrated that every flag carries memories of the people and places it has served.

As Canadians prepare to celebrate another summer under the Maple Leaf, Beechwood is inviting citizens from coast to coast to coast to help grow this national tradition and ensure that every retired flag receives the farewell it deserves.

Together, let us honour our flag.

Together, let us honour the stories it represents.

Together, let us continue building a national tradition of remembrance, respect, and pride.