SCOUT CAPTURES VETERANS' STORIES TEEN MAKES DOCUMENTARY DEPICTING LOCAL WWII VETS.

Byline: Daily News

FILLMORE - Boy Scout Ben Aguirre, 15, of Troop 406 is a World War II history buff.

To reach the pinnacle of scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout, the youngster completed a 30-minute film titled ``Keeping History Alive.''

The film is a documentary depicting the war experiences of nine WWII veterans from Fillmore and Piru, ranging from 81 to 94 years old.

``I hope it will touch the lives of everyone who watches it,'' said the Fillmore High School sophomore. ``They told their stories.

``Some didn't want to talk about gory stuff. They wanted not to show that side of them. Others, that's all they saw, so that's what their stories were.''

At the culmination of his monthlong project, Aguirre presented the veterans with copies of the documentary during a ceremony at Fillmore Middle School last week.

He also donated copies of the movie to the local high school and middle school, and the local historical society.

The project cost several hundred dollars to make. The money was donated from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Aguirre said he spent between 50 and 60 hours on the project.

A friend, James Higgins, encouraged Aguirre to take on the project.

``We wanted to honor a very special generation of men and women of WWII ... for what they sacrificed for our freedom,'' Higgins said. ``Just hearing their stories makes a difference in the kids' lives and the adults' lives.''

Eagle Scout is the Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. About 4 percent of the nation's 1 million scouts achieve the status, according to the Boy Scouts.

To reach the coveted rank, scouts must choose a project that benefits their community and complete other requirements. To view the film, contact the Fillmore Historical Society at [phone].