Fern Taillefer began his military journey as an Army Cadet with the 204 Algonquin Cadet Corps in North Bay, Ontario, where he spent four years, attaining the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.
In 1974 he joined the Infantry Reserves - the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay and served with the Regiment for six years.
Throughout his career with the Canadian Armed Forces he served in Egypt, Israel and in NATO overseas missions before returning to Canada in 1987. Since his retirement in 1996, he has dedicated his life to serving those who served. He is a “go to” person for Veterans requiring assistance with benefits and navigating Veterans Affairs Canada. Fern spearheaded the creation of Peacekeepers Park, established in 2011 in Angus, Ontario, near CFB Borden. It features the names and faces of the Peacekeepers who died on United Nations and other peacekeeping missions.
Fern serves as the National President of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP), and is also a recipient of the the Kings Charles III's Coronation Medal.