POWLNAL — Members of Edward Little High School’s junior class stood at the top Bradbury Mountain on Dec. 4 and memorialized soldiers from Maine who have been killed in the line of duty.

This was the students’ second year assisting the Summit Project, a non-profit organization that collects memorial stones from the families to honor fallen Maine soldiers. The group engraves each stone, which comes from a place important in the life of the soldier, with the soldier’s initials or name, dates of birth and death, rank and branch of service.

Nearly 130 students remembered 40 soldiers on this trip, organized by Social Studies Department chair Nathan Theriault and English teacher Amanda Martemucci, and chaperoned by a number of Edward Little faculty.

“It’s a really important thing for kids to connect to nature and get out of the classroom,” said special education teacher Matt Closson, “and remember some of the people who have served to protect our freedom.”

At the top of the mountain, after a mile-long hike, students placed their memorial stones on a military jacket and delivered speeches about the soldiers.

“I feel as if they can fight and die for a belief and the best interest of their country,” said senior Cole Butler, “then the least I can do is respect that and remember them.”