National award given to local veteran changing hundreds of lives
A veteran from Oro-Medonte, Ont. has been nationally recognized for dedicating years to helping hundreds of Canadian veterans.
Fern Taillefer received the Veteran Ombudsman Award for Lifetime Achievement on Wednesday in a virtual ceremony.
"It's really not something I would have expected because I do it from the heart," said Taillefer.
The retired veteran spent over 20 years in active overseas service and supported the British Royal family as a private security member for international royal visits.
Following his European work, Taillefer returned home to Simcoe County, where he began supporting veterans.
"I will help with anything, whether it be a homeless veteran or a veteran who needs medical equipment or medication or a veteran who needs help filing out paperwork which is huge," he said.
His generosity caught the attention of friends, who nominated Taillefer for the award.
"There are a number of people that could have been nominated, but nobody to the extent of Fern. He's done so much for so many and asks for nothing in return, but things like this are his just reward," said Bob George, National VP Canadian Association Of Veterans In United Nations Peacekeeping.
While Taillefer works with veterans on an individual level, he has also helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars through his partnerships with multiple organizations.
"I am the president of the Peacekeeping Association Central Ontario chapter. I am the first VP of the legion, and I am also a veteran service officer of the legion and the parade mashall for the legion," said Taillefer.
While Taillefer said he is grateful for the honour, he noted his work helping veterans is far from over.
He hopes to continue supporting veterans for decades to come and inspire younger generations to do the same.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.