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 that before Harry was born, his father died. She was left to provide for Harry on her own. When Harry was 3 months old, she moved to Colorado so that he might have the advantage of better climate and so she could make and keep a home for him.
Harry wasn't a very ambitious boy as a little boy. Harry was difficult and impetuous which made it hard for his mother and teachers. During his high school years, he lived in state of fear and injustice due to her second marriage. He often anticipated correction which made him rebellious. His mother often felt like she would lose her boy, but God was good and helped him through to the years of understanding. Harry had many saving qualities. He was always ready to forgive and did not go to sleep before telling his mother of all the wrongs he had done through the day. He would sing himself to sleep and every night would sit on his mother's lap and say his prayers. In one of his last letters written in a dugout he said, "How I wish I could sit on my mother's lap tonight and "schussel" through my prayers,"
During Harry's high school years, he was involved in track and field. His mother told him, Harry you don't want to be a race horse. He stated that he wanted to be an athlete and it was the only thing he could choose to practice, when he wanted to practice. Harry was never without work. As a boy his home chores were numerous. When he was 9 years Old, he worked in a tuck garden just below town for 2 cents a day. Later he had a paper route which he had up to the last summer before College. That summer he took a job on the city water works, which was being constructed. During his high school years, he played with a Kodak and with his kodakary he paid most of his way through college. At the end of high school his mother states that he had “builded better” than I knew." He had put the stone of perseverance into the foundation of his character. I am proud to that my boy was going in the right direction.
Harry took his first year of Law at Columbia and though his class work was hard, he gave of his time for two Boys' Clubs at a Community House. He gave hose boys something worthwhile to think about, such as our mothers, our sweethearts, our friends, and our attitude towards women, good or bad. The Head of this Center told Henry’s mother that those boys loved your son and will ever try to follow his example. Harry called his mother before leaving for France to say good-bye and that as his fresh young voice reached her over the telephone, it suggested (as his presence always did)— "Winged Victory".
The next summer Harry spent in a Camp in Maine as a counselor. He took his second and third year of Law at Boulder. He told his mother that he was not going into law for the money it would bring, but that he might better serve the boys who needed friends. He was nearing the end of his law courses in 1917, when our country called for volunteers for the first officers training camps. Harry was one of the first to enlist. In June of 1917, Harry's Law Degree was issued to him, but he never saw it. He was in the Army, winning his "Bars" in their order.
From France Harry wrote his mom, "Am once more sleeping between sheets and in the Mayor's bed." Jn 1920 his mother saw that wonderful bed and was on the battlefield where he fell. She touched many things pertaining to his last activities.
In his last letter, smeared with candle grease, written just two days before he fell, realizing the full meaning of War, he said," How happy I shall be mother, if, after our hard fight is won, I shall live or die as you would have me. In failing my country, I would be failing you, and I know that if anything happens to me, you will soldier it through,
Harry was acting Captain when he was stricken down. His Top Sergeant, who was wounded a minute or two before and returned to the United States, told Harry's mother that two of his boys ran out to bring him back from under fire and were both shot down just as they had placed Harry on a stretcher. Oliver Wendell Holmes was killed instantly; Dwight Lamson died a month later. "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.
One of the men asked if he was hurt much. Harry replied, No, not much. The blood welled up into his throat and he said" Yes, I guess I'm done or but it's all for mother." He then lapsed into unconsciousness.
On the brow of a hill in far-off France, midst thousands of crosses, there is one marked
Harry C. Wray
1st Lt. 353 Inf., Division,
Colorado September13, 1918
His mother writes, "I like to think of my boy lying there with his Comrades since his call come to go that way. I love to associate the Legend of the Poppy with those boys. It that—"The Red Poppy grows only where royal blood has been shed. They may not have descended from any earthly line, but they are all sons of the "Great King"- Every man a prince. Splendid they passed into the Light that never more shall fade."
Lt. John McKinstry
Lt. John McKinstry's mother writes that John was born in Neowsho Rapids, Kansas on October 11, 1894. His early life was spent in Kansas. He completed grade school and 2 years of high school in Kansas. His last 2 years of high school were completed at Canon City High School. He was attending Agricultural College at Fort Collins when the First World War broke out. He was accepted into the first officer’s training school, leaving Denver May 5, 1917 for Ft. Riley, Kansas. In August 1917, he received his commission as 2nd Lt. He went to Camp Funston to train men for overseas duty. He was assigned to the 89th Division, leaving New York June 3, 1918. The 89ff Division was stationed in the Toul section of France. On August 12, 1918, John led 15 men though the German trenches. On September 1, 1918, John was promoted to 1st Lt One September 12, 1918, John was killed in action at the Mihiel Drive leading his men. His mother states that the many things told to them about John's courage, thoughtfulness, and kindness, the thing she liked the best was his Captain said he considered John "Abnormally conscientious". John McKinstry was mentioned for a Citation, but never received it.
Signed Unit 13 Historian
Theresa Brandt
2009 - 2010
