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TWO STATUES TITLED "The Unconditional Surrender"
(a sailor kissing a nurse)
one in San Diego, California
and one at Sarasota Bay Front in Florida
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1 - The Unconditional Surrender Statue
at Tuna Harbor
in San Diego, California
May 21, 2015

sign for the Unconditional Surrender statue

Who doesn't love that image of a sailor in Times Square on V-J Day (Victory over Japan) grabbing the nearest gal -- a nurse -- and trading anonymous spit?

The original image of the moment was captured by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on August 14, 1945. J. Seward Johnson is the sculptor of this version, though there has been some debate whether it is actually based on the famous photo. In any event, tourists and old veterans love it, assuming the same pose with a loved one at its base, or just peeking up the nurse's skirt.

The 25-ft. tall statue has been criticized as a gaudy and lame imitation of the photo, and an eyesore for the community. Locals, however, love the statue, and so do the two RV Gypsies. And right next to it is the Bob Hope memorial plaza, chock full of even more sappy sculptures to irk the critics. Glenn McDuffie, who claimed that he was the smooching sailor, died at age 86 on March 9, 2014. He spent the last several years of his life charging women $10 to take a picture of themselves kissing him on the cheek.

Above quote from: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/20274

The Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego
The Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego

Below; The two RV Gypsies at The Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego, California

Lee Duquette and The Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego
Karen Duquette and The Unconditional Surrender Statue in San Diego

Below: Another homecoming statue in the same area, Tuna Harbor. There was no plaque nor sign for this statue.

homecoming statue
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2 - FLASHBACK to the Unconditional Surrender statue at Sarasota Bay Front in Florida

May 12, 2013

A KISS THAT LINGERS

The 26-foot-tall "Unconditional Surrender" statue on Sarasota's Bay Front has been the subject of countless speeches, groans, quips, and kudos since it made its first appearance here in 2005. It will likely stay in that same spot for a decade, after the city accepted the donation of a World War II veteran who put up $500,000 to buy the statue, on the condition that it stay out front of city-owned Marina Jack. Jack Curran, a former signalman who served in the Pacific and European theaters, says he bought the statue for all the other guys out there like him, who were raised in the Great Depression and served their country in World War II and came home to their sweethearts. He suspects the rest of the world is forgetting about them. Others have debated whether the statue is a fitting tribute to veterans or a big gaudy sideshow on U.S. 41.

Above Quote is from the Herald-Tribune on-line article at http://www.heraldtribune.com/section/topic0332

sign about the Unconditional Surrender statue
Karen Duquette at the Unconditional Surrender statue

What is Lee looking at?

Karen Duquette (above) and
Lee Duquette (below)

Lee Duquette at the Unconditional Surrender statue
the Unconditional Surrender statue
look below

Menu for the two RV Gypsies in California. You may view these 4 sections in any order you choose. There is also a link to Oregon at the bottom of this page.

You do not have to return here to continue from page to page because there is a link at the bottom of each page for further navigation.

Section 1 of 4: San Diego

Entering the state of California

Mount Helix Park

USS Midway (CV-41)
and several memorials

A National Salute to Bob Hope
and The Military

Unconditional Surrender Statues (FL 2013 & CA 2015)

Artwork - "Our Silences"

Beaches in San Diego

Balboa Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

San Diego Botanical Gardens

Cabrillo National Monument

Pio Pico Thousand Trails

Hotels

Section 2 of 4: Los Angeles County

Fairflex Los Angeles KOA in Pomona

Mt. Baldy Park

Los Angles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Section 3 of 4: San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf & the seals

Lombard - The zig-zag street

Golden Gate Bridge - 2009 & 2015

Eureka KOA

Section 4 of 4: The Redwoods - Giant trees & more

Willits - Gateway to the Redwoods

Travel photos and some elk

Avenue of the Giants

The Drive Thru Tree #1

The Drive Thru Tree #2

Beach at Redwood National Park

Trees of Mystery - page 1

Aerial Tram at Trees of Mystery

Tall Tale trail at Trees of Mystery

look below

go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesAFTER you have viewed all of the above sections, please continue on to
Florence, Oregon: a dune buggy ride, Devils Churn, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and more.