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Memorial Hall rededicated to all veterans

Harrison Memorial Hall's long history regaled by Mayor Ken Becotte
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Second World War veteran George Eastcott chats with Colin Johnstone after the ceremony to re-dedicate the Harrison Memorial Hall to the veterans of the area. Jessica Peters/ Observer

A crowd of about 50 people were on hand to re-dedicate the Harrison Memorial Hall on Friday.

Jim Johnson, the past president of the Agassiz Legion Branch 32, and Reverend Mary Duncan took part in the service, which included recorded version of Taps, in a shorter version of the Remembrance Day ceremonies earlier in the day in Agassiz.

Harrison's Mayor Ken Becotte read a history of the hall, which was built on a "swampy lot" and given its official name in 1955.

The Memorial Hall was purchased by the Village in 1960 for $9,000.

The hall has always been a source of community activity, and Becotte read off a list of common activities that have taken place in the hall. They included square dancing, quilting bees, parties, art shows, Boy Scouts and Girl Guide meetings, badminton, and even tuberculosis x-rays.

The initial name was to reflect the community's appreciation for veterans of the First and Second World Wars. Since then, military personnel have gone into many battles around the world.

"We want, today, to rededicate the hall for all veterans," Becotte said. "They guaranteed our freedom."

news@ahobserver.com

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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