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After Fairfax City’s Memorial Day ceremony on May 26, American Legion Post 177 honored Amos Chilcott, the World War I veteran whose donation helped give generations of local veterans a place to gather.

Post Commander Eric Parkhurst addressed attendees at Chilcott’s grave in Fairfax Cemetery, including Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmember Billy Bates.

Parkhurst said Chilcott joined other World War I veterans in 1944 to establish an American Legion post in Fairfax. Chilcott donated the land, and the post received its charter in 1945. Construction began in 1951, but the building took about five years to complete.

Chilcott died in 1954, two years before the project was finished, and never saw the completed post on the property he had contributed.

The building was later partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt. Its foundation and portions of the original walls remain. Eighty years after the post was chartered, Parkhurst described Chilcott as its benefactor and credited his commitment to veterans with creating an enduring legacy.

Chilcott’s name also lives on at nearby Chilcott Field. Built in 1956, the field is considered the home of Fairfax Little League.

Parkhurst said Chilcott’s contribution served not only World War II veterans but later generations returning from Korea, Vietnam, Operation Freedom and other periods of service. He challenged those gathered to consider what future generations would remember about them and how they could support veterans and honor those who died.

A three-member American Legion color guard—Earl Seay, Jim Price and Al Doehring—then advanced toward the grave. Parkhurst and Doehring placed a wreath as the others stood nearby.

Parkhurst saluted while VFW Post 8469 bugler Hank Roeder played “Taps,” closing the tribute to a veteran whose gift continues to shape the Fairfax community.