Post 13 Cañon City, Colorado
Post 13
Cañon City, Colorado
About This Post
Post Namesake
The name, Wray-McKinstry, was adopted in honor of two young men from Cañon City who died defending their country in World War I (WWI). Lieutenants Harry C. Wray and John A. McKinstry served with the 89th Division, U.S. Army, and ... READ MORE
Notable Members
Our current chaplain, Dave Burrous, is the great-grandson of the post's first chaplain, Robert L. Underwood.
What Makes this Post Unique
Wray-McKinstry Post 13, Cañon City, CO received a working charter on July 25, 1919. A permanent charter was issued August 10, 1920.
Photos
Lakeside Cemetery 2018
HISTORY
1910
Post Namesakes 1st Lieutenants Wray and McKinstry
Sep 12, 1918
Milestones Over the Years
90th Anniversary
Wray-McKinstry Unit 13
2009-2010
American Legion Post and Unit 13 are named after 1st Lt. Harry C. Wray and Lt. John Alexander McKinstry. The two men graduated from Canon City High School and were both killed in France September 12, 1918. I found letters the mothers of John and Harry had written, in a history book at our post from the years 1942-1943.
Harry Wray
Harry Wray's mother writes..
Working Charter – July 25, 1919
Jul 25, 1919
A group of fifteen ex-servicemen started the Wray-McKinstry American Legion Post, in Canon City, Co. A working charter was received July 25, 1919. Charter members include: N.H. Ainsworth, W.R. Kissell, Fred Merriam, Fred C. Williams, J.C. Overman, H.E. Tremayne, W.D Taylor, L.S. Lear, R.W. Middlemiss, G.W. Else, Franklin R. Little, Harry L. Bash, E.L. Morris, William F. Carlson, and Howard L. Burton. The post initially met in the Red Cross rooms at 401 N. 4th..
1920
Entertainment – 1920’s
May 13, 1920
Communities are vastly different than they were a hundred years ago. Television, internet, and computers did not exist in the 1920’s. Communities tended to be smaller and tighter knit. It is not hard to imagine that Fremont County residents would enjoy and appreciate two of the events hosted by the newly formed Wray-McKinstry Post 13 in Cañon City.
May 13, 1920 – Legion Carnival..
