MacDonald, Daniel Joseph

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MacDonald, Daniel Joseph

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        Dates of existence

        July 23, 1918 - September 30, 1980

        History

        Daniel Joseph MacDonald was born to a family of farmers in Bothwell, Prince Edward Island on July 23, 1918. At the age of 22, MacDonald enlisted with the P.E.I. Highlanders in 1940. Later in June1943, he transferred to the Cape Breton Highlanders where by October of the same year would become a sergeant in the unit. MacDonald was first wounded in an an assault on the Gothic Line. Again, MacDonald was wounded at the Battle of Senio River on December 21, 1944 by an exploding shell. This time, his wounds were serious; MacDonald had his left arm and leg amputated over fear of infection. After being in hospital, those who were unable to walk on their own required a wheelchair. Loathing not being able to walk on his own, MacDonald requested a British cobbler to make a protector for his amputated arm so that he could use crutches to walk on his own.

        Years after the end of the war, MacDonald turned to politics . He was elected to the Prince Edward Island legislature in 1962 as the member for 1st Kings where he also served as the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry under Premier Alex B. Campbell from 1966 to 1972. In 1972 MacDonald resigned from P.E.I. provincial politics to run as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Cardigan where he was elected in 1972, again in 1974, and a third time in 1980. In March 1974, MacDonald was appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau to become the Minister of Veterans Affairs. The role included many tasks including acting as the Canadian Agent for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1975, MacDonald also attended the ceremonies in Italy for the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Italy alongside comrades including Cape Breton Highlanders veterans Charles "Sharkey" MacDonald and Ralph Davies.

        MacDonald accomplished much as Minister for Veterans affairs and was well liked by many, including Prime Minister Trudeau whom he became good friends with. During his time in parliament, MacDonald fought for greater support for veterans and their families as well as to increase the pensions for those with disabilities. MacDonald passed away on September 30, 1980 and was given a state funeral. MacDonald had a saying: "it isn't what you've lost, but what you have left."

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