A National Moment

Katherine Watson: Do you have a minute? It only takes one minute. Can you take a minute for someone else? It may be someone you don't know, but it's someone who gave up everything in service to this nation.

Jason Holmes:  The wonderful Memorial Day holiday weekend is coming, and there's a very important moment on that Monday, at 3:00 pm, whenever 3:00 pm falls in your local time. 

Moonjava:  To ensure the sacrifices of our nation's fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December, 2000 The National Moment of Remembrance Act was signed into law.

Jason:  It encourages all Americans to stop for just a minute at 3:00 pm local time for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Katherine:  Carmella LaSpada started Moment of Remembrance. She said, "It's a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day."

Moonjava:  Yes, just before Memorial Day in 1996, Carmella LaSpada was in Lafayette Park and asked a group of schoolchildren on a whim, what Memorial Day meant. They cheered, "That's the day when the swimming pool opens!" Carmella thought, if only people would pause for a moment -- just one minute -- to reflect on the heroes who died and the price they paid. That would be a small, good, healing thing.

Katherine:  LaSpada began lobbying and it resulted in Congress passing a resolution and the President issued a proclamation urging Americans to set aside that one minute at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remembrance.

Jason:  Carmella had founded No Greater Love (NGL), in 1971, is a non-profit, patriotic, humanitarian organization that is dedicated to bring hope, peace and love to the world. No Greater Love started with a promise by Carmella LaSpada to a dying medic in Vietnam – a promise to do something good to honor all the fallen and their families and ensure that they will never be forgotten. Check the link to learn all this organization provides.

Katherine: Jason is a Veteran of the Afghanistan War. After his duty in the Army he attended the Police Academy training before coming to Bayside as a K-9 officer with his dog Hobbs. Jason worked with a trained dog in the Army too. That dog's name was Robby and he was trained to sniff out roadside bombs and save lives.

Jason:  Those dogs are amazing service animals. They're over 98% accurate in their detection skills. Hobbs is a German Shepherd police dog. Robby was a Labrador Army dog.

Katherine:  The men and women and service animals who have given their lives in service to the nation will be in my thoughts 3:00 pm Monday. And for more information about the women who have died, including those who disguised themselves as men in order to serve in the Civil War, click on They Gave Their LIves

Moonjava:  And remember to wear a red poppy too. Learn more on The USAA site about the red poppies, and also there you can see the sobering numbers of valuable lives we've lost in the wars fought.

Flowering Mom With Love

 Welcome To Our Blooming Blog

Today we're gathered at Al's Café in Bayside - Katherine, Moonjava, and Pam, three generations of Mothers. 

Katherine: In this beautiful spring time we celebrate Mother's Day so often with gifts of flowers. Few people know that our Bayside K-9 officer Jason Holmes enjoys gardening very much and has studied the history of flower meanings. Of course, his dog partner Hobbs enjoys relaxing in their garden too when they're off duty.

Pam: In our mystery Kat Out of the Bag, Jason surprises you with meaningful bouquets at unexpected times.

Katherine: I didn't know flowers had different, hidden meanings. It adds an additional layer of sentiment to floral gifts.

Jason: It's fun research.

Katherine: We want to celebrate mom with flowers. Would you give us some advice on the meaning behind these gifts?

Jason: I'm happy to help. The symbolic language of flowers has been recognized for centuries through Europe and Asia. Nearly every sentiment you can imagine can be expressed with flowers. Examples of plants' meanings during the Victorian era include bluebells - kindness, peonies - bashfulness, rosemary - remembrance, and tulips - passion. The meanings and traditions associated with flowers have changed over time, and different cultures assign varying ideas but the fascination with giving a “perfumed message” remains.

Katherine: I'd like to gift to Moonjava. She's my mom, MJ and still living the 1960's Flower Child style life. So much of her life is without rules. She wants the best for everyone and shares her daily meditations with anyone who will listen. Sometimes her meditations seem to almost predict the future.

MJ: On this topic I believe the potential for everyone to bloom where they're planted. I've always loved flowers, all kinds. I think my favorites are daisies.

Jason: Daisies are a sweet symbol of hope. That seems to fit your outlook. I think I'd recommend a bouquet assortment to add to daisies, including white jasmine - sweet love and amiability because although you and Katherine are very different personalities you share a love and friendship. Also include magnolias - love of nature. And finish off the bouquet with marjoram - joy and happiness.

Katherine: I like that, for you MJ.

MJ: Super groovy! That's a double handful of peace and love. Thank You!

Katherine: Now for Gran, there's really only one thought for flowers. It's traditional.

MJ: I'll see your bouquet and double it. I know exactly what you're thinking - red roses.

Pam: Oh I just love you girls. Red roses have always been my favorite flowers. With my English garden background I enjoy so many flowering plants, but red roses are the best. My father always used to give me red roses on my birthday and that made them special.

Jason: The color of the rose plays a huge role. Red roses symbolize love, but roses come in a variety of colors, each with its own meaning.

• White rose: purity, innocence, reverence, a new beginning, a fresh start.
• Red rose: love, I love you
• Deep, dark crimson rose: mourning
• Pink rose: grace, happiness, gentleness
• Yellow rose: jealousy, infidelity
• Orange rose: desire and enthusiasm
• Lavender rose: love at first sight
• Coral rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy

Pam: I wish my mother was still with us. I think of her on Mother's Day too

Jason: That makes me think of a pretty bouquet of zinnias - thoughts of absent friends and loved ones.

Pam: Now we need a bouquet for Katherine.

Jason: Let me suggest . . . . white chrysanthemums - her search for the truth behind mystery, orange tulips - her enthusiasm and joy in the investigation, yellow tulips - the sunshine in her smile, and rhododendrons - danger

Katherine: And for all our wonderful readers, yellow azaleas for friendship, happiness and positive energy.

And African Violets - for Mothers and Motherhood