John Martell has a rust-free, 21-year-old set of wheels and a proud family legacy steeped in Canadian military history.

And he’s not shy about displaying both publicly.

Martell, of Weymouth, shared an unconventional thank-you note for Veterans Affairs Canada with motorists and pedestrians in Halifax on Friday.

His sign-showing, flag-festooned Dodge van was parked in a church lot by a busy street near the Armdale roundabout.

Martell is a 70-year-old retired carpenter who spent a little more than three years in the navy before leaving in 1962. Close relatives have also served in the Armed Forces, he said, including an uncle killed in France in 1944 during the Second World War.

Aside from carpentry, Martell said he’s worked in other fields after entering the labour force at age 11. He joined the navy in his teens.

The thrice-married father of 12 said Veterans Affairs has helped him and his family over the years.

“Whenever I had to go to the hospital, they paid for it,” Martell said. “I had a hearing problem — they took care of that.”

He acknowledged Veterans Affairs has received scorn from other vets dissatisfied with their treatment by the government department.

“They have done excellent by me. If it wasn’t for them, I would be in a lot worse shape monetarily,” Martell said.

He said he can’t speak for any other veteran.

Martell said the fact his vehicle was showing off his gratitude and family heritage, in the form of several hand-made signs, on the Canada Day long weekend was simply a coincidence.

“It just accidentally happens to be this weekend,” he said, as vehicles whizzed along his perch on Joseph Howe Drive.

(mlightstone@herald.ca)