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Fairfax veterans and city leaders gathered at Amos Chilcott’s grave on May 26 to honor the man whose land donation helped establish American Legion Post 177—and whose influence still reaches generations of local veterans.

Following Fairfax City’s Memorial Day ceremony, Post 177 Commander Eric Parkhurst addressed attendees at Fairfax Cemetery, including Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmember Billy Bates.

Parkhurst recounted how Chilcott joined other World War I veterans in 1944 to organize an American Legion post in Fairfax. Chilcott donated the property, and the post received its charter in 1945. Construction began in 1951 but took roughly five years to complete.

Chilcott died in 1954, before he could see or enjoy the finished post built on his former land.

The building was later partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt. Its foundation and sections of the original walls remain, Parkhurst said. Eighty years after the post was chartered, members continue to remember Chilcott as their benefactor.

His 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 commitment ultimately benefited veterans returning from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Operation Freedom and subsequent service. He challenged those assembled to consider what future generations would remember about their own contributions to veterans and fallen service members.

A three-person American Legion color guard then advanced toward the grave. Parkhurst and Legion member Al Doehring placed a wreath, and Parkhurst saluted as VFW Post 8469 bugler Hank Roeder played “Taps.”