Unconditional Surrender Statue

Lovely statute located near the Marina in Sarasota. Talking to an older gentleman who said he came out everyday to remember.

If you ever drove from business district of Sarasota to Siesta Keys, you’ve seen it. Standing tall, right before the Ringling Causeway on Hwy 41. It is massive, and in its rather kitschy way, impressive.
There are few of those around — in San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Hamilton, France…
Created by Seward Johnson, the very first one, styrofoam model was installed in Sarasota in 2005, replaced later by aluminum version — and replaced again, since it was damaged by car crash.
Interesting fact — Johnson claimed that is not based on famous photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt, but on it less-​known twin, one by Victor Jorgensen — which helped to avoid copyright issues.
It’s kinda cool to walk around it at night, lighting is very dramatic.

beautiful statue, great art, iconic and couldn’t imagine it being a problem in America anywhere, should be one everywhere in all 50states in my opinion, people whom don’t study history are doomed to repeat it right.

I love seeing these statues every time I am in Sarasota. It’s in the same location as marina jacks. Driving down this stretch of 41 always makes me reminisce of good ol lake shore drive in Chicago. No palm trees there but lots of water, and high rises.
I love this icon statue and I was sad when some drunk fool drove into it and knocked it over. It was sad when it wasn’t here for a short time. Like a half a year or year or something. As soon as it came back, I did make sure to come visit it. On tv, one day they highlighted this statue w the real individuals. It was pretty impressive to watch.

I never realized that this iconic statue was located right here in Sarasota until I happened to randomly drive by it while visiting the area for the weekend. The bf and I immediately pulled over so we could take a closer look and read more about it. The statue is located right by the marina, so there is plenty of parking. Not much to see here, but it’s fun to read the story behind the statue and take a quick romantic picture for the couples who come here together!
Being that it’s a quick free and fun photo op, i give it 2 thumbs up, but it’s not really anything to plan on spending a whole lot of time looking at. Just drive by and spend a minute «ooh“ing and «aah“ing if you’re in the area.

It is a problem with location. It sticks out like a sore thumb. All the other art along the water’s edge adds to its tranquility. That is until you get to this towering piece. It just looks like it belongs along I-​4 (maybe next to the T-​rex dinosaur).
A few years ago, it was damaged and was removed for repairs. Once again, the water’s edge was restored, albeit temporarily, to its beautiful former appearance. It confirmed how misplaced this statue is.

From the portrait, Kissing Soldier, the statue reminds us of the other time our country was attacked. Never forget!
George was on leave and had a first date scheduled with his new brother-in-law’s cousin. They decided on a movie when banging on the movie doors from the streets came with shouts of, The war is over! The Japanese surrendered! George and his new gal, Rita made their way to Times Square to hear more about the news. George had spent some hard time seeing fellow men wounded and was ready for the war to be over. When in Times Square, George spied what he thought was a nurse and recalled all the help the nurses gave and instinctively grabbed her and kissed her with Rita overlooking. The «nurse» was Greta, a dental hygienist that had also came to Times Square to hear the news. None of the parties knew about the picture taken until Life ran the photo again in 1980, 35 years later! So now you know the rest of the story!

Cheesy and out of place. Why this was put in this location and named what it was is beyond me. Perhaps the retirees like it, maybe it makes them think of a golden day but for anyone under 80 I imagine thy, like me, find it pretty offensive

This «thing» should be moved to South of the Border, The Shell Factory or some other tacky tourist trap. Totally disrupts the otherwise beautiful view of the waterfront!

I never liked the photo, so why would I like this cheesy-​looking 25ft remake? I don’t believe in the glorification of war nor do I like the posture of the poor woman this elated man randomly grabbed and bestowed his kiss upon. It looks like the woman might snap in two at any moment.
I understand the symbolism of it, but it looks like the victory is man over woman here and not peace over war. The name of the statue suggests this chauvinist ideal as well.
Why not show children being reunited with their fathers? Or sons and daughters with their parents? Wives with husbands? Siblings? Friends? Why this? If he wasn’t a white guy and a sailor, this would have been considered an attack, not a sweet and lovely victory kiss. It really does not deserve to be as popular as it is or recreated anywhere.
I also don’t see what it has to do with Sarasota.