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 89^th Division, U.S. Army, and were killed in action at Saint Mihiel. 

Lieutenant (Lt.) John A. McKinstry served in the 355^th Infantry. John graduated from Cañon City High School in 1913. John was a student at the Agricultural College in Ft. Collins, Colorado when the first calls went out for young men to volunteer for service in the Armed Forces.  Lt. McKinstry completed officers training at Camp Funston.  John wrote his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm H. McKinstry, of Cañon City frequently.  In one of his last letters to his parents, he described his promotion from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant for bravery in action. John died Sept. 12, 1918 just short of his twenty-fourth birthday on Oct. 10.  Lt. McKinstry was the first soldier from Fremont County Colorado to die in action.  “Lieut. McKinstry was a consecrated, devoted soldier, modest and brave, desiring above all things to discharge a patriotic duty by rendering to the government his fullest service in an undertaking that vitally effects the rights and privileges of mankind. Paraphrasing the words of Lord Bryon, it may be said of Lieut. McKinstry that those who give their lives for a great cause do not die in vain, they are redeemed from death.” 

Lt. Harry C. Wray served in the 353^rd Infantry. Harry graduated from Cañon City High School in 1910.  According to the local news, Lt. Wray was wounded in action on Sept 12,1918 when General Pershing began the battle of Saint Mihiel in France.  His mother, Mrs. M.B, Okey who lived in Joliet, Ill received word Harry was wounded but later received notification from the Harry’s commander, Major General, W.M Wright that Harry did not recover from his wounds. Lt. Wray was known to his friends as “Heck.” He earned an A.M. degree from Colorado College and studied law at Columbia University in New York and Colorado University in Boulder. Wray received his degree after entering officers’ training at Camp Funston.    Wray was admitted to the practice of law by the Colorado Courts, but never had the opportunity to practice the law…” Thus, another of the bright, virile, attractive young men of our acquaintance has given his life for the upholding of righteousness and pure democracy.”

Author Janet Lennox assisting Post Historian, Larry McDonald

Our current chaplain, Dave Burrous, is the great-grandson of the post's first chaplain, Robert L. Underwood.

Wray-McKinstry Post 13, Cañon City, CO received a working charter on July 25, 1919. A permanent charter was issued August 10, 1920.