Pittsylvania supervisors adopt resolutions honoring Lt. Col. Clyde B. East, Gilbert’s Restaurant landmarking and interim county administrator

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors adopted three ceremonial resolutions Tuesday: a posthumous honor for Lt. Col. Clyde B. East, recognition of Gilbert’s Restaurant’s designation on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places, and a resolution of appreciation for interim county administrator Vincent E. Shorter.

The resolution for Lt. Col. Clyde B. East noted his military record as described in the presentation: service in the Royal Canadian Air Force (1939), joining the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942, reconnaissance and combat missions flying a P-51 Mustang more than 200 combat missions, awards including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with multiple clusters and an Air Medal with 36 oak leaf clusters. The resolution directs that a copy be presented to his family; the family spoke briefly and asked the board to consider a permanent monument.

The board also presented a resolution recognizing Gilbert’s Restaurant — a community landmark in Chatham built circa 1945 by Reverend Robert Gilbert — for designation on the Virginia Landmarks Register in March 2025 and reporting it was recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Owner Bob Gilbert (and family) accepted the recognition and said work is underway to secure a marker and restoration funds.

Finally, the board adopted a resolution thanking Vincent E. Shorter for his service as interim county administrator; Shorter accepted remarks and the board presented him with a plaque.

All three resolutions were presented and adopted on the record; they were ceremonial recognitions and did not create binding policy or fiscal commitments beyond standard presentation of plaques and certificates.