Ray Dean III distributes a bucket of mulch at the West Sunbury veterans memorial. Dean is working on his Eagle Scout project with his dad, Ray Dean, Jr.

WEST SUNBURY — At the corner of Main and State streets a bit of history is being rescued from neglect and polished up for posterity.

Boy Scout Ray Dean III, 17, of Troop 31, is working to restore the West Sunbury veterans memorial as his Eagle Scout project.

Well, at least, that's how it started out.

Ray, who will be entering his senior year at Moniteau High School this fall, said the project has become more than just earning his Eagle badge.

“It needs repair. It hasn't been well-maintained,” Ray said of the monument.

“I want to make it look better. It's in the middle of West Sunbury. It didn't look bad, but it could look better.”

Ray has a plan and has put 200 hours into the renovation project so far.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Sunday's Butler Eagle.