The upcoming holiday, marking the unofficial beginning of summer, was originally intended to honor our nation’s fallen military heroes. Beginning after the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union Army Veterans’ organization, chose to decorate the graves of soldiers with flowers as a commemoration of their service. The tradition continues today and staff at Perkins & Anctil wishes to thank all members of the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Air Force for their service.