ENFIELD -- A pair of Canadian military veterans has taken it upon themselves to repaint some artwork along a Nova Scotia highway after it was covered up last week.

The mural, which was painted on some rocks on Highway 102 near the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, honours veterans.

Gregory Swiatkowsi says he and a fellow veteran were upset to learn that crews with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal had covered up the mural because it was considered distracting.

They spent Sunday afternoon repainting a number of symbols at the site, including a Canadian flag and some poppies.

“I would like to remind Nova Scotians and all Canadians this stretch of highway here is called the Veterans Memorial Highway,” said Swiatkowsi.

In a statement to CTV Atlantic, Nova Scotia’s Department of Transportation said it has “an obligation to remove unofficial artwork” as it can be distracting to drivers.

“We have a responsibility to Nova Scotians to ensure our roads and highways are safe. This includes minimizing all possible distractions. Even a second of distracted driving can lead to devastating consequences,” said Marla MacInnis, a spokeswoman for the department.

“We appreciate the desire to honour our veterans and we have official signage in place doing so along this road.”

While the artwork will eventually have to be removed, MacInnis said crews will wait until after Remembrance Day.

“We are happy to meet with the group and discuss alternative and safe ways to pay tribute to our veterans,” she told CTV Atlantic.

Meanwhile, other roadside artwork seems to be ignored by highway crews.

Whether it's the landmark Rubik's Cube on Nova Scotia's Highway 103, or the giant die near Porter's Lake, there's no shortage of visual stimulation for people on provincial highways.

The bare rocks seem to beckon artists of all abilities and support, too.

At the Somme Branch Legion, 95-year-old Cliff Ashton -- the only surviving Second World War veteran left -- says roadside tributes to those who have served should be left alone.

"It's upsetting to see this, it really is," Ashton said. "And we depend on the young Afghanistan vets to keep this going -- respect veterans, whatever they do."

Swiatkowsi summed up his frustrations:

"A day when a Canadian flag, painted by a patriot, on a road in Canada is considered an act of vandalism and graffiti, that's truly a sad day for Canada."

With files from CTV Atlantic's Bruce Frisko.