The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Just in Time for Valentine's Day, the "Unconditional Surrender" Kiss

From the Feb. 13th Los Angeles Times "Statue of famous kiss at end of WWII may stay longer in San Diego."

It is called the "Unconditional Surrender" sculpture and has been on display at the Port of San Diego since 2007 and is scheduled to leave at the end of the month, but that departure may be extended three months. Right now, it is near the aircraft carrier museum USS Midway.

It is modeled after the famous VJ picture of a kiss between a sailor and a nurse that I'm sure you have seen many times.

The 25-foot-tall sculpture is owned by the Santa Monica, California, based Sculpture Foundation. In the years since its arrival in San Diego, it has been a favorite photo op for tourists and lovers alike. It is set to be dismantled and shipped off to a park and sculpture garden in New Jersey come the end of the month, but the opportunity for a three month extension has arisen has come.

That kiss took place in 1945 in New York's Time Square after Japan's surrender.

And, speaking of "Unconditional Surrender," 150 years ago, Union General U.S. Grant, was about to get his "Unconditional Surrender" nickname in just a couple days when Confederates at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, wanted to know what his surrender terms were. That also fit well with his initials.

My Advice to San Diego...KEEP IT. --GreGen

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