Sacrifice

Sacrifice. . We are willing to pay the price as far as the good need arises. , , Cpl. Maurice Masterson, 151st Field Artillery, 42nd "Rainbow" Division, writing to his father, September 19, 1918, Maurice Masterson at Fort Riley, August 10, 1917 , Masterson Family Papers, courtesy Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Maurice Masterson, a young man from the Red River Valley, volunteered to serve. He wrote his mother from France in 1917.,

Before I left the US I felt glad of the chance to come. I thought the cause great and wanted to strike a blow in defense of humanity. Since I arrived my heart is filled with regret that I did not come before.

, Ten days before the war ended in November 1918, an artillery shell explosion killed Maurice Masterson., Maurice Masterson (right) and friend, 1918 , Masterson Family Papers, courtesy Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Artillerymen from the 151st, "somewhere in France," 1918, The 151st Field Artillery is one of the oldest units in the Minnesota National Guard. Its members have served in all major US conflicts since the Civil War., The entire Minnesota National Guard was called up in 1917. Only the 151st saw combat. The surviving members of the unit came home in May 1919. Barnesville citizens welcomed them, and later named American Legion Post 153 after Maurice Masterson., Homecoming parade for members of the 151st, Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, May 8, 1919