More than a year after they began an ambitious project to record the memories of Westport veterans and ended up publishing a book with more than 20 stories, students under the guidance of Westport Middle School teacher Jonathon Bernier have published a second edition and will launch it at a celebration next month.

“While There’s Still Time: Remembering Westport’s Heroes,” second edition, covers the stories of 18 Westport veterans who sat down with students, one on one, to talk about their service, why they joined up, and how it has impacted their lives.

The project is a continuation of a project started last year after Bernier heard veterans' service officer Carol Freitas give a speech that noted the importance of documenting veterans’ stories before it's too late. Bernier said the speech stuck with him:

“Both of my grandfathers fought in World War II,” he said. “We lost them before we really got a chance to tell their stories. I wish we would have.”

So he approached his students and pitched the idea, and handed over the reins. As they went through the list of 20-odd veterans, students learned more than recent military history and the stories some of their neighbors have kept for decades, Bernier said:

“Myself and John Rezendes, a media teacher at the high school, were here after school for every interview.  We worked on interviewing skills, video editing, camera operation," he said earlier this year.

That process continued on this year's second edition, and the students will celebrate the book's release at a 6 p.m. dinner at Westport Middle High School on Monday, June 15.

Books, printed with financial support from the Westport Education Foundation, will be handed out at no charge, and many of the veterans and students involved this year will be there.

"This promises to be a wonderful night honoring the veterans first and foremost, but also the student authors who have worked so hard to put this together," Bernier said.

Editor's note: Like last year, the Westport Shorelines will begin publish this year's stories, once a week, starting next month.