On August 14, 1945, the United States celebrated V-J Day, the official ending to World War II, when the announcement of Japan’s surrender was heard round the world. In Times Square, photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured a shot of a sailor kissing a nurse. The photo was published in Life magazine shortly after, representing a moment of unity, freedom, and love, for the years to follow, by hopeful hearts around the globe.
This past Sunday, June 20, 2010, Edith Shain, the recipient of this iconic kiss, passed away at 91. The sailor still remains unknown, although some have come forward with the claim. And as we bid farewell to a woman who dedicated her life to helping veterans, we will forever remember this symbol of a war that damaged the United States, yet brought a sense of community and patriotism that will be remembered for years to come.
I have seen this photo several places. I have seen it on dorm room walls in poster form, in restaurants and books and during lessons in schools. It’s an image that encapsulates photojournalism at its best. When I look at this photograph, it stirs up emotions of hope and relief and, of course, love amidst a time of a tumultuous war. A war that I have never experienced in the flesh, but in which I have been placed through the stories that grandparents, great uncles, television series, movies, and publications have told during my young life.
On PLOG: photo blogs of the Denver Post, I found a gallery of photos that were published to exemplify the impact of 7 years of the War in Iraq on both sides of the equation. An on-site account of our current war, one of which we are slightly reminded, while we face other issues of an economy in jeopardy, a scrutinized leader, and changes and challenges that Americans aren’t willing to accept or take.
I was hoping to find photos to compare. Photos that evoked feelings of love and freedom and relief. Something that would celebrate accomplishment and victory and a sense of ‘look how far we’ve come’. I did find embraces that portrayed relief and unity and love, but mostly comfort and protection from what seems to be an unending timeline of events.
Then I did a Google Images search. “kiss iraq war”. Here I found more of what I was looking for. A better social representation of a moment of love amidst war. The very first photo was a kiss of a soldier returning from Iraq, embracing the woman he loves. And then another of a couple with their son, that was taken by Bradley Pines of the Kalamazoo Gazette. And I found more and more photos of hope. More photos of relief. More photos of unity and love.
The world will never forget Eisenstaedt photo where “In New York’s Times Square a white-clad girl clutches her purse and skirt as an uninhibited sailor plants his lips squarely on hers” on V-J Day. It will stay in our minds and hearts for those who appreciate its implications. I still remain hopeful, that we will not necessarily replace this iconic photo, but yet create a new representation of an ending war and new beginnings. A cultural highlight that proves once again that a picture is worth a thousand words.
credit: Bradley S. Pines, Kalamazoo Gazette
