OTTAWA — Moved by the steady stream of casualties returning from the battlefields of Afghanistan, a small group of Canadian veterans is urging the Conservative government to formally recognize wounded soldiers with a medal.

Every time a Canadian is injured - physically or mentally -- by hostile fire they are eligible for a wound stripe, which is a piece of gold braid sewn on to dress uniforms.

It is what the military calls a "dress distinction" and is not considered a decoration -- which handful of veterans want to see changed to something similar to the Purple Heart awarded to U.S. service members.

"I think we should appreciate everyone who goes over there and stands in harm's way," said Murray Sinnott, an ex-soldier and retired city police officer from Windsor, Ont.

The former member of the Canadian Guards regiment started a campaign to persuade the Defence Department to replace the wound stripe with a formal medal that would be awarded automatically for injuries sustained in the line of fire.

"Whether you agree or disagree with our government's decision to be involved in Afghanistan, our troops need to be recognized for their effort," he said. "Canada should recognize and honour persons wounded who stood in harm's way on our behalf."

Sinnott envisions a distinctive, enamelled crimson maple leaf set against a white background.

In a letter addressed to veteran's groups, his member of Parliament, and hockey commentator Don Cherry - an ardent supporter of the troops - Sinnott suggested the award be named the Crimson Maple Leaf.

The idea struck a chord with other veterans, who say a wound medal would be a way of reminding future generations about individual sacrifices.

"Can you see a soldier standing at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day?" asked Jim Cadger, a former soldier who's heavily involved in the fight for compensation over Agent Orange spraying at CFB Gagetown, N.B.

"It would be a real badge of honour. The country should be able to look at that man wearing that medal and just instantly know they've been wounded."

Cadger's group got behind the campaign, posting a statement from Sinnott on its web site and e-mailing veterans across the country.

The Royal Canadian Legion is currently studying the idea and has not decided yet whether it will get behind this specific proposal.

"Generally we agree with the concerns Mr. Sinnott has raised," said Robert Butt, the legion's director communications.

"The issue will be put before our national defence committee when it meets in November."

In order to create a new military honour, the Conservative government, in consultation with the Governor General, would have to recommend it to the Queen.

"If it can't be done, I'd like somebody to tell me why it can't done," said Sinnott, who served in the infantry from 1957 to 1965.

Creating a medal similar in intent to the U.S. Purple Heart may not go over well politically, given the growing opposition to the war in Afghanistan, but Sinnott said politics should be set aside.

"The Americans are so gung-ho and patriotic, we're just eager to show we are different and we're not beating our chests or saluting the flag," he said in an interview.

"I think people in general appreciate what soldiers do and the sacrifices they make, but I'm not sure politicians do. It's so much better politically to be opposed to war."

The not-so-subtle shot is aimed at NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has called for Canadian troops to be withdrawn from combat operations in southern Afghanistan.

But one of Layton's caucus members said he supports the notion, but would like to see criteria for awarding the honour and also some indication whether soldiers from past conflicts would be eligible.

"A medal would be visible and recognizable," said Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer, who has publicly disagreed with his party's call for the troop withdrawal.

"Anything we can do to recognize the efforts of our Canadian troops is a good idea."

The Canadian military has had an on-again, off-again attitude toward the wound stripes, which were first instituted for soldiers in 1916. A year later, when the U.S. entered the First World War, it created the Purple Heart.

The Canadian wound stripes -- initially made of thin pieces of brass -- were abolished in 1922, but re-introduced in 1944 using braid. In the ensuing decades, the recognition disappeared again from uniforms, but was reintroduced by the Forces in 1994. The recognition is also open to civilian members of the military who are injured under enemy fire.