To Orwell Today,

I'm taking John flowers to Parkland Hospital this November. I've marked it on my calendar, but still I am without a gift.

I have two questions for you.

Was there a flower specifically requested of John himself to honor the death of "Baby Patrick", and was there a particular flower or color of rose that John sent to Jackie during their courtship prior to their marriage?

Any information you have to shed on the subject is of course greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Paul

Greetings Paul,

It's unusual to hear JFK referred to as "John" -- even his friends called him "Mr President" -- and his family called him "Jack" at home -- and we the public call him "JFK" -- so famous was he that his initials are all that's needed -- a form of endearment.

It's a thoughtful gesture to take flowers to the place where JFK died -- and where the doctors fought so hard to save his life. I understand that Trauma Room One there at Parkland has been renovated in these subsequent 50 years but perhaps your bouquet will be placed somewhere near the entrance to the emergency room where the public and hospital staff can see it.

The flowers that JFK took to Jackie in the hospital after the death of Patrick in August 1963 were a selection from the Rose Garden at the White House -- as were the flowers he gave her on their 10th wedding anniversary a month later. See JFK, JACKIE & BABY PATRICK

I don't know of any specific flowers JFK gave Jackie during their courtship but probably he asked his secretaries in the Senate office to order them from the florist. His personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, wrote in her book MY TWELVE YEARS WITH JOHN F KENNEDY that it was his habit to ask her to make phone calls to jewellers and art galleries etc -- and eventually toy stores -- when choosing particular gifts he had in mind.

As the years of their marriage went by JFK received so many personalized and thoughtful gifts from Jackie that his gift-giving to her became equally personalized and special. He bragged that he was the one who put the smile upon her face.

And it wasn't just JFK giving flowers to Jackie -- she also gave flowers to him. On his trip to Ireland in June 1963 -- to which she couldn't accompany him because she was pregnant with Patrick -- he was given a Waterford crystal vase which became his most precious souvenir. It was displayed on a table in the Oval Office and Jackie made arrangements with the White House florist to keep it filled with fresh flowers.

Perhaps that's the Irish vase in the photo above of JFK in his office -- and the roses are from his garden.

All the best,
Jackie Jura

THE MEMORIES JFK 1961-1963, by Captain Cecil Stoughton & General Chester Clifton (White House photographer & Military Aide respectively)

JFK TRUTHS & UNTRUTHS & JFK ASSASSINATION PUZZLE PIECES