An American Icon Dies
As the son of a photographer, I can tell you that they live for capturing moments…moments that define a time, and era, a person. On August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt snared…
As the son of a photographer, I can tell you that they live for capturing moments...moments that define a time, and era, a person.
On August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt snared perhaps one of the most famous moments and it was published in Life magazine. It is THE picutre of a sailor returning home from WWII and celebrating as any red-blooded American boy would.
George Mendonsa is the World War II veteran identified as THE sailor who was photographed kissing a woman in Times Square in celebration of the end of the war.
George Mendonsa has died.
At the time of his death, he was in an assisted living facility in Middletown, Rhode Island with his wife of 70 years.
And no, it wasn't the woman in the picture. ;)
That's a better story. He was kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman. He had NEVER met her before that moment.
One can only imagine what vile word he would be labeled with if that moment occurred today, right? That being said, this is truly the closing of a chapter. No picture celebrated the triumph of our "Greatest Generation" like this one.
George Mendonsa may no longer be with us, but this image, and what it represents will live forever.
RIP, and thank you for your service.
