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The photo of Navy sailor George Mendonsa kissing Greta Friedman on VJ Day in Times Square is one of the most iconic photographs in history.
Yet it was nearly up for consideration to be banned from Veterans Affairs facilities.
Thankfully, this was not an official policy and Secretary Denis McDonough shut it down as fast as it appeared, as Military Times described.
A memo from RimaAnn Nelson called for the picture’s removal because it « depicts a non-consensual act » and « is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault. »
Thus she added, « To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the veterans we serve, photographs depicting the ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ should be removed from all Veterans Health Administration facilities. »
While Greta Friedman did say she and Mendonsa did not know each other and she was taken by surprise, « It wasn’t that much of a kiss. It was just somebody celebrating. It wasn’t a romantic event. »
Mendonsa recounted in 2012 that he was drunk during the kiss as well since he was on leave and could have been very well sent back to the Pacific if Japan had not surrendered that day (even his girlfriend at the time understood his joy to boot).
