'WWII photo nurse' leads parade

[BlueJessamine]

Source: BBC News

A 90-year-old who says she is the nurse being kissed in Times Square in one of World War II's most famous photos is to lead the New York Veterans Day Parade.

Edith Shain, from Los Angeles, will return to the scene of the kiss at the head of a group of WWII veterans.

The photo of an American sailor kissing a nurse in 1945 as people marked the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II became an iconic image.

Over the years, several people have claimed to be depicted in the picture.

Ms Shain said it was thrilling to be back in New York and "see the street where we had been when World War II was over, when that marvellous feeling was flooding the nation".



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7721875.stm

[tblue]

1. She's adorable. That original pic was so emotional.

But wait! How do we know it's really her? Heck, I could say it was me ('cept I wasn't borned yet!).

[hlthe2b]

2. Wow... She's 90? Looks great!

Behave yourself, boys

[happyslug]

3. Both kissers were actors, not even the male was a sailor.

Remember the picture was taken after the announcement of the Japanese Surrender on August 15, 1945. Thus the picture was taken in AUGUST when sailors in New York City are in their SUMMER uniform (i.e. WHITE) not their Winter Uniform (i.e. BLUE as is the "Sailor" in the Picture). Great Picture, but the "Sailor" should have been in White. My point is simple this is a posed picture with two actors posing for the photograph.

Other pictures taken that day in the same city clearly show other sailors in their Whites, again to make clear this was a posed picture, with actors dressed for the picture. The picture was taken off the cuff but is also believed to be staged. Someone knew what he wanted AND it had to be with the scene of the celebration of other people behind the couple (Please see the note below on Victor Jorgensen and his picture of the same couple). My point is that only the couple was staged, the rest is still a picture of how Americans were celebrating VJ (Victory over Japan) day.

Another picture of the same scene, this was done by a official US Navy Photographer (Victor Jorgensen, who died in 1948 and is believed to be the person who set up the pose). Being an official US Navy picture it is in the Public Domain (i.e. any one can use it)