Today, I had the honour of paying tribute to William Toussaint in the PEI Legislature. William is one of our Black Veterans who served in the Army and Reserve Forces from 1966 to 1989 - a 23-year career.
He served as a vehicle technician and refrigeration and mechanical system technician.
His career saw him posted all around the world - to Germany, Egypt's Sinai Desert, Cairo and Israel, as well as in Western and Eastern Canada.
In 1986 he was posted to CFB Summerside as a senior NCO - Non Commissioned Officer - and was in charge of the refrigeration shop until 1989.
After leaving the military he continued serving his community as a Shriner, FreeMason and with the Royal Canadian Legion.
He was the president of the Island Shrine Club and the Charlottetown Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He has fundraised for the Children's Hospital in Montreal, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hillsborough Hospital, Camp Gencheff, Meals on Wheels, Pat and the Elephant, palliative care, Veterans and their families and bursaries for students.
I am proud to call William my friend. On behalf of District 14 Charlottetown-West Royalty, I want to thank you for your service to our country, this Island and our veterans past and present.
Gord McNeilly, MLA
Charlottetown-West