One hundred volunteers are needed Saturday morning to help plant the 200 oak trees that will make up the Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial.

The grove will be located in a meadow at Illini State Park south of Marseilles, with one tree planted for each Illinois soldier who has died while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. A dedication is being planned for sometime during the week where Veterans Day falls.

"Right now we're trying to get all the volunteers we can out for the planting," said organizer Steve Massey of Streator, who is the community relations manager at the Illinois Department of Transportation office in Ottawa.

Volunteers are asked to show up Saturday by 9 a.m. dressed for the weather and to bring with them gloves and a spade.

To reach the grove, from the park entrance turn to the left and follow the road that goes under the Illinois River Bridge for 2.5 miles. Due to limited parking at the site, it is possible that transport for volunteers may be available near the park entrance, Massey said.

Volunteers will be served "brown bag" lunches being donated by the Jimmy John's sandwich shop, the Quiznos sandwich shop, the Cheese Shop and Handy Foods – all in Ottawa.

Other volunteers have already been busy getting the site ready.

"The parking lot has been poured, the memorial stone has been set and the trees have been delivered. The National Guard has been out to pre-drill the holes for the trees with an auger. Everything is set to go. Now we need the volunteers on Saturday."

Much of the site preparation work has been volunteered by a mix of contractors, building trades and building supply providers.

The cement for the project was donated by River Redi Mix of Marseilles, poured by members of Local Labor Union 393 of Marseilles and finished by Cement Masons Local 11 of Ottawa.

Other work was done by Operating Engineers Local 150 of Utica, Teamsters Local 722 of La Salle, S&E Concrete of Marseilles, Barnes Trucking and Excavating of Marseilles and Grand Rapids Enterprises of Ottawa.

"All this help has just been great – sort of astonishing, really, with an economy like we have," said Massey.

But really, said David Raikes, business manager of Laborers 393, it is nothing unusual.

"Most of the memorials in La Salle County or the Illinois Valley around here we've had a hand in because most of our members are veterans. So that's why they're always there to give: they know the hardships these guys and their families have gone through."

Raikes said one big challenge was maneuvering into place the granite boulder for the dedication plaque.

"We had a lot of trouble getting that rock set, but it came out beautiful. It's really impressive."

Raikes praised the area selected for the tribute.

"It's like a sacred natural area. It's just a beautiful peaceful setting.

"I'm glad oaks were picked because they stand for strength and endurance. That's what comes to mind when you think of our soldiers, they're the toughest of the breed.

"At this memorial those who died for us will be remembered forever."