When the Salida Post of the American Legion was reorganized in February 1, 1920, it was named Ray Lines Post in honor, and to perpetuate the memory of a Salida soldier who “gave his all” for the furtherance of democracy and for his country.
Henry Ray Lines was born at Saint Louis, Missouri, on November 5th, 1892, of German and English descent, and was the eldest of three children. His father and mother were Charles and Sophia Lines. When he was but nine months old the family moved to Salida. Here he spent the happy days and attended school.
He was happily married to Miss Mabel McCauley of Salida on December 31st, 1912; they had one son Charles D. born December 11th, 1914.When war was declared, Ray was employed by the Denver and Rio Grande, Railroad as a baggage man, due to his splendid disposition and cheerful nature he proved to be a congenial and courteous servant of the public and these traits won him a host of friends.
Ray entered the service, not asking for an exemption, on September 18th, 1917 and was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 341st Field Artillery, 89th Division. He received his training as a soldier, was promoted to Corporal and sailed to France, where he was killed by a high explosive shell, in the St. Mihiel drive on September 18th1918, and exactly one year to the day after he entered the service.
His body one of the last to leave France, and was buried in the veteran’s lot of the Fairview Cemetery at Salida on April 23rd, 1922. All of Salida turned out to pay tribute to a fallen hero, his funeral being the largest and most impressive ever held in the town. Services at the grave were the rites of the American Legion, conducted by Father White, Chaplin of the post. The plaintive, yet beautiful taps was then sounded over the departed comrade, the memory of whom shall always linger with us.
Ray Lines was the only serviceman from Salida killed in World War 1.
