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The history of K. Knudtson Branch 173 begins with a small group of WWI
Veterans meeting in the old Osoyoos School House. They accepted the
challenge to form a Branch of the British Empire Service League, receiving
their Charter on December 15th, 1944.
The original group of Veterans was joined by a number of WWII Veterans
in planning a Legion building. A well-known local rancher, K. Knudtson,
soon got involved and because of his deep interest in the Legion, contributed
the property. Volunteers utilizing hand labour then built the existing
building. Because of Knudtson’s concern and dedication to the Legion,
Branch 173 made him an Honorary Member, and named the Branch after him.
The mortgage was burned in 1958.
Some of the special activities that are community orientated are:
- Grave markers that are locally manufactured are placed at the head
of each Veteran’s grave.
- Our Colour Party and President take an active role in the Memorial
Day services at Orville, WA.
- Branch 173 hosts a Veterans Day meal and entertainment, and on December
18th, 2004 had an Osoyoos street signed as “Veterans Way”.
- We celebrated our Branch’s Golden Anniversary in 1976 by planting
tulips in Legion Tulip Park: on April 21st, 2005, we approved financial
support to augment the redesign and upgrading of Legion Tulip Park with
indigenous plants and improved walkways.
- In 1986, a Memorial Marker was dedicated at the Field of Honour in
the local cemetery.
- The Branch, co-chaired with the American Legion in Oroville, WA., construction
of a Friendship Marker at the Osoyoos/Oroville border.
- Each year, the Branch takes part in the International Gavel Passing.
It is noteworthy that the Ladies Auxiliary should be included as an
integral part of the history of Branch 173. Twelve Veteran’s wives
formed the Ladies Auxiliary in the fall of 1946 and held the Charter
until December 1995, when it had to be surrendered. The ladies were a
valuable asset to the community shipping tons of apples to Shaunessy
Hospital, Victoria Veterans Hospital, and the Crippled Children’s
Hospital. The ladies picked the apples, packed them, and shipped them
by truck to the coast.
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