The Smiths Falls LAV lll Monument was dedicated on 16 September 2018 and recognizes the sacrifices of military members who served in Afghanistan. During the ceremony, Mayor Shawn Pankow declared September 16 as Afghanistan Veterans Appreciation Day in Smiths Falls.
Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) III were originally manufactured by Canadians at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ontario and were instrumental to troops in carrying out their missions while in Afghanistan. The monuments were created from decommissioned LAV III hulls, donated by the Government of Canada and built by Militex Coating Inc. and Fanshawe College students in London, Ontario.
On November 5, 2014, the Canada Company Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) lll Monument Program was launched to recognize the 40,000 Canadians Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and to commemorate the 162 Canadians who lost their lives. The program closed after awarding 33 monuments to communities across Canada.
