Just inside the gates of the Commonwealth Mall Gardens in Boston stands a simple bench. The small plaque on its side reads, “Erected 1931 By Massachusetts Department Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.” Engraved into the backrest, faded by 80 years of New England weather, are the simple words, “In Memory of Our Fathers The Grand Army of the Republic.” After these many years, the bench had fallen into disrepair. Thanks to the generosity of the National Department of Daughter of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the bench has been repaired and is ready to grace the gardens for another 80 years. The Massachusetts Department of the Daughters of Union Veterans no longer exists, but recently members of the Department of Maine DUVCW traveled there to rededicate the bench and honor Union ancestors. Pictured surrounding the bench, from left, are past national president Lesley Dean, president of the Department of Maine Elsie Bonney, junior vice president of the Department of Maine Vicky Meyers, member of Judith Grover Tent #17 Sue Kettinger, past Maine Department president Sally Sawyer and member of The Friends of the Public Garden Margaret Porkorny.