Two weeks ago, at the Latvian Center in Los Angeles, in my role as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia in Southern California, I had the privilege of conveying greetings from the Latvian government and from Dr. Ekstrom and myself personally to the Los Angeles Latvian community on the occasion of “Baltā Galdauta Svētki,” or White Tablecloth Day. Celebrated every May 4th, this holiday commemorates the restoration of Latvia’s independence after 50 years of Soviet occupation and repression. It is often called Latvia’s “second birthday,” and symbolizes freedom, resilience, and hope for the future.

The white tablecloth itself symbolizes togetherness — families and friends gathering around a shared table to honor the country, its people, and its traditions. I remarked during the celebration that Latvia’s original independence was proclaimed on November 18, 1918, facts well known to the older generation present. But it is important that we continue teaching these historical milestones to our younger generations, many of whom were not yet born when Latvia regained its independence 36 years ago.

I also thanked the Latvian Society for inviting me to attend the Latvian school graduation two weeks later (yesterday), while expressing my regret that I would not be able to attend this important event. I congratulated the teachers and students for the remarkable work they do preserving not only our language, but also our customs, traditions, and cultural identity. I explained that although I would not physically be there on graduation day, I would be with them in my thoughts, and hoped they would be with me in spirit a few thousand miles away as Dr. Deborah Ekstrom and I celebrated another very important milestone.

On May 15, 1926, a little girl named Jadviga Buzinskis was born on a farm near the town of Indra in the province of Latgale, in the newly established Republic of Latvia. After a happy childhood on the family farm, her teenage years were interrupted by the horrors of World War II. As the Russian army re-entered Latvia, she and her sister fled westward on foot, eventually reaching the Western Zone of Germany. There, in a refugee camp, she met my father, Janis Bunkis. They married, I was born, and in 1951, we emigrated to Canada.

The rest, as they say, is history.

My mother was instrumental in raising all three of us children, ensuring we received a good education and a solid foundation upon which to build our lives. Although my father passed away eight years ago, my mother became even stronger — truly the matriarch of our family. Today she enjoys her eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, keeps in touch regularly with friends and relatives in Latvia on WhatsApp, cooks and bakes up a storm, remains very active socially, and embraces every day that God gives her.
She requested that her 100th birthday celebration remain a family affair, and her wishes were honored. Relatives gathered from all parts of Canada, the United States, and Latvia. She held court at her birthday celebration better than any queen could have done and welcomed family into her home for smaller private gatherings throughout the week.

I was deeply honored to present her with personal birthday greetings from Pope Leo XIV, from King Charles III, and from Latvia’s President, the Honorable Edgars Rinkēvičs.

The wonderful news is that she remains 100% mentally sharp and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

God bless you, Mom — and yes, we fully expect to celebrate your next birthday with you as well!

Invite for my Mom’s 100th birthday, showing her as a ten year old in Latvia and a 99 year old, waiting for her big day.

Wedding day, Aug 15, 1947

Making sure we learned to read and write Latvian, 1955

With my dad, joining us on a vacation to Key West, 1980.

With us in Hawaii, 2004

70th Wedding Anniversary, 2017, and the last time the whole family got together.

Two weeks before her 100th birthday, doing what she does best, baking bacon buns for all of her upcoming guests!

The Birthday Queen, Jadviga Bunkis, on her 100th.