One of America’s most iconic photos in history will remain on display in veteran clinics, offices and hospitals after a top official tried getting it banned.
The very recognizable “V-J Day in Times Square” (aka “The Kiss) picture, taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt portrays a U.S. Navy sailor, George Mendonsa, kissing a woman, Greta Friedman, in a Times Square celebration after the victory and end of WWII. The two weren’t romantically involved, nor had ever met.
Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Rimaann Nelson sent a memo ordering the removal of the photo from all VA buildings for “psychological safety.” The memo said, “…the photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy toward harassment and assault…”
Greta Friedman’s granddaughter Caroline Branin defended the photo and said, “It was really something they were just very happy about. My grandma signed images of the photo up until she died…I have a picture in my house that my grandma signed and even George Mendonsa signed it. My grandma stayed in contact with George and she did parades on V-J day with him. She never said it was anything she felt was uncomfortable.”
Secretary Denis McDonough posted on X, “Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities – and we will keep it in VA facilities.”
By - FZ
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