Poppy plates for veterans who ride motorcycles in N.L.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has unveiled a special-edition licence plate for motorcycle riders who served in the military.

The plates, unveiled at a ceremony at the Conception Bay South war memorial on Thursday, feature a poppy.

Veteran Tom Skelding was the honourary first recipient who picked up his plate — Number VA0001 — from Premier Dwight Ball and Frank Sullivan, the president of the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command.

"I'm humbled to receive that number," said Skelding, who retired as an army captain from the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and started a letter-writing campaign to get the special plates.

"Motorcycles have always been part of the military, going back to pre-World War One, dispatch riders ... In the second war, there were motorcycle regiments," he said. "There's a history of motorcycling and the military. A lot of military folks take it up as a hobby."

He said wearing the plates raises awareness.

"They see the veteran. They see the poppy, and they know what some of us did for a living."

Ball said the plates are a sign of respect for veterans who live in Newfoundland and Labrador.. He said the poppy symbol of remembrance is already featured on vehicle licence plates.