OLEAN — More than a dozen Boy Scouts raked, dug holes, planted perennials and appeared to enjoy landscaping at the War Veterans Park monument in honor of World War II hero Louis Zamperini.

The Scouts from Troop 617, as well as adult volunteers, recently completed the landscaping near the granite marker that will be unveiled during a public ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday in the park at East State and Front streets. During the ceremony, military units, local officials, a color guard and community members will dedicate the special monument in honor of Zamperini who was also an Olean native, Olympic long-distance runner and inspirational speaker.

Zamperini, who died in July at the age of 96 will be featured in the upcoming Universal Pictures film “Unbroken” that was created from the best-selling Laura Hillenbrand book of the same title. The film, expected to be released Christmas Day, was directed by Angelina Jolie, with the screenplay provided by Ethan and Joel Coen.

Zamperini’s outstanding will to survive 47 days at sea after his military aircraft went down in the ocean, in addition to several years of brutality in Japanese prison camps, are just some of the events depicted in his amazing story. His ability to forgive his former enemies and become an inspirational speaker through his Christian experience at a Billy Graham crusade was another highlight of his life story.

The plan to honor Zamperini in his hometown was first voiced by Olean resident Fred Eade. Later,

Jim Bardenett, whose late grandmother was Zamperini’s godmother, organized the local effort to build a monument in his honor. Bardenett noted that the community fundraiser, under the auspices of the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, recently received a $5,000 grant from the Cattaraugus County Legislature.

“The committee is thrilled to have this funding which will help us meet our project goal of $25,000,” Bardenett said.

Kruse said he also was able to contribute $1,000 he had raised for the landscaping work to the monument fund thanks to contributions from local businesses. Specifically, Dan Evans of Pleasant Valley Greenhouses & Nursery provided plants and topsoil for the project, and Randy and Matt Ewings of Hillside Landscaping provided and hauled mulch to the project site.

Kruse said he was pleased that the Boy Scouts in his troop supported his Eagle Scout project.

“My whole troop is here, there are about 14 to 15 of us,” Kruse said. Also helping with the project were Kruse’s family, including his grandmother Sandy Neureuther and mother Kim Kruse.

Kruse’s Scoutmaster Tom Mehmel said he was proud his Scouts’ work as “it is important to honor the vets.

“This particular individual (Zamperini) has quite the story,” Mehmel added. “And there are so many World War vets who need to be remembered for their service.”

Evans said he was honored to donate daylilies and boxwood plants to the site because his late father Whitney Evans had been a veteran of the Korean War.

“Something like this seemed like a real worthy cause, we’re glad to help,” Evans said.

Randy Ewings said he and his son were also happy to help with the project because his late father Kenneth Ewings was a World War II veteran.

“He had four brothers and the whole family was in the service,” he said of his uncles.