Tour of Honour rolls through Merritt

MERRITT – During an eight week tour, the Tour of Honour has stopped in Merritt.

“The main initiative is to raise awareness all up and down B.C., into the Yukon, and Vancouver Island regarding the Honour House Society,” said Mark Phillip Magtibay, volunteer with the Honour House Society. “What it does and the services it provides to our men and women in uniform including veterans and their families and Honour Ranch and the services it provides as well.”

Magtibay explained further about the services the society provides, which includes numerous different therapy’s and housing for veterans their families.

“The house is situated in New Westminster and it’s there to provide housing free of charge to men and women of uniform and their families who are seeking medial treatment in the Lower Mainland without having to worry about the costs of a hotel because we will house them free of charge during their entire duration for treatment. The ranch is located in Ashcroft, it’s a 128 acre ranch and the goal of the ranch is to provide a place of sanctuary where men and women in uniform and their families can decompress and re-centre focusing on their mental well being. We offer programs such as music therapy, art therapy, and equine therapy there too because the Sundance Ranch is just down the hill from us and has a bunch of beautiful horses there, so it’s great we are really lucky to have it.”

The Ranch currently has ten cabins and the society is in the works of building ten more and are fundraising to try and cover the costs of the new cabins.

The Royal Canadian Legion in Merritt donated a total of $1,500 towards the society.

“The support in each community and the legions have been immense, immeasurable, and really humbling.

For more information or to find out how to donate, visit the Honour House website.

(Image credit: Zachary Stewart/Q101)

(Image credit: Zachary Stewart/Q101)