"Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96" - Merritt, BC - Legion Posts and Branches on Waymarking.com

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"Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96" - Merritt, BC

in Legion Posts and Branches

Posted by:  T0SHEA

10U E 657965 N 5553252

The Merritt Legion is downtown in an older stucco building which is painted in the familiar Legion blue and white.

On the south side of Quilchina Avenue the legion is at number 1940, midway between Chapman & Voght Streets. This legion opens Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2 PM and Saturday at 1 PM and stays open, according to the sign out front, "As long as we have customers."

This legion was apparently chartered in 1930 and has been active in renovating and maintaining the Merritt cenotaph. Given the style of their building, this could be the only home the branch has known.

Dedicated to the veterans of the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, this memorial was renovated by Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 96 to reflect the Korean War. The following is an excerpt from Histories - BC/Yukon Branches - The Royal Canadian Legion - Merritt Branch 96 - The history of Merritt Branch 96 records that there was a very active branch of the Great War Veterans Association in Merritt from 1917 - 1921. After achieving its main function of erecting and unveiling the cenotaph on November 6, 1921, it ceased to exist. To recognize the 75th birthday of the City of Merritt, Branch 96 restored the cenotaph on the courthouse lawn. Over $6,000.00 was raised for the project that included renewing the walkway, cleaning, replacing missing letters and placing black granite slates around the base. Unveiling and rededication took place following a parade on Homecoming Weekend, July 23, 1986.
From War Memorials in Canada.

This cenotaph has since been moved to a spot near city hall as the courthouse has passed into private hands.