Posted on 08/12/2015 1:20:54 PM PDT by NEWwoman
70 years ago ...
August 14, 1945 was the dawn, ending those dark days from 1939 - 1945 which were marked by a horrific world war. World War II left no continent untouched and a devastating body count. With causalities approaching 70 million, it may have been the worst war in recorded human history, such seen in this interactive video: The Fallen of World War II on Vimeo
But as the Psalmist wrote:
Finally the night of weeping ended and joy came with the unconditional surrender of Japan bringing with it a promise of peace.
This iconic kiss was a snapshot of that day - capturing the spirit of VJ Day - Victory over Japan. And I wrote about it five years ago in this blog: A kiss immortalized in August 14, 1945
Since then, the identity of the nurse has been challenged. Some have come forward claiming to be the sailor and the nurse in the photo. Even science has weighed in: Solving The 'VJ Day Kiss' Photograph Mystery Using Astronomy And Science
Who were they really?
Perhaps it's best to let it be. It was what it was ... a magical moment ... the hand of fate.
And 70 years ago was a different time. During World War Two, America was united. We were bold and committed to what FDR said in his Pearl Harbor speech -
Yet, FDR would not live to see the end of the war, but died in office on April 12, 1945. [reference: FDR Dies ]
But he inspired us to never give up and overcome in the face of overwhelming odds, like he never gave up when faced with a crippling handicap, as dramatized in this scene: The best part of the movie "Pearl Harbor"
And though I wasn't born yet, my parents had not met yet, it does make me feel nostalgic for a time when all Americans are united, again, and determined to fight for the right. And in the end experience ...
what has happened to us?.....I think its just that our proportions of food are so large, so much larger than it used to be....
I remember my first McDonalds hamburger....a hamburger, a fry and a drink...all for under $1....
Blessings on those who fought in WW2, and all wars.....when your country needed standup people, you stood up....
Is that you. . .moochell?
;-)
How about people were more active. . .burning more calories than taking in.
We stopped smoking.
That, too.
Today he would have been arrested for sexual assault.
ahhh....men actually kissing WOMEN!
The good old days!
Good observations, cherry. I share your gratitude for our veterans.
PC just takes all the fun out of life, doesn’t it? ;)
70 years ago, men were men and women were women.
Yup!
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again...
“Kiss me once, then kiss me twice, then kiss me once again.....it’s been a long, long time.”
There you go All in the Family with us!
Like 70 years? :)
Ha!
And Gee, our old LaSalle ran great!
Good picture, but staged. They were asked to kiss. Didn’t know each other.
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