A full day of free festivities planned to celebrate its return

Morgan M. Hurley | Downtown News Editor

A brand new version of artist Seward Johnson’s iconic WWII sculpture, “Unconditional Surrender,” also known as “The Kiss,” made its way back into San Diego this week to make its permanent home alongside the USS Midway Museum.

A new platform was built in January for the San Diego Port Authority’s newest waterfront work of art, which includes added landscaping with cherry trees donated by the Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego.

Purchased from The Sculpture Foundation after a community fundraising drive raised the necessary funds, the Unconditional Surrender statue replaces an earlier more portable version that depicted the famous “kiss” in Times Square on VJ-Day between a Navy sailor and a nurse that came to identify the country’s elation with the end of World War II.

Seward is a Navy veteran and an avid sculptor and supporter of public art. The temporary exhibition, made of foam resin, left San Diego in September of 2012 after almost five years.

The new 25-foot bronze with polychrome-petina coated sculpture from the same cast was permanently bolted into place on its new platform Wednesday morning, Feb. 13.

This Saturday, Feb. 16, starting at 10 a.m. the public is invited to an official unveiling and dedication of the permanent statue, to be held at G Street Mole off of Harbor Drive, next to The Fish Market restaurant.

The day will also include several other free, public events also held in celebration of the iconic statue’s return.

A list of the Feb. 16 events:

• Entertainment by the U.S. Navy Band and the Swingin’ Blue Stars.

• Formal dedication of the sculpture and presentation to Port of San Diego by USS Midway Museum staff.

• Active participation of members of Spirit of 45 organization, in town in conjunction with their annual convention.

• Several elderly couples, married in World War II, will renew their vows at “The Kiss,” in a brief ceremony conducted by Pastor David Plank. Couples to participate are still being sought.

• Salute to heroes on Navy Pier that will include displays by San Diego Humane Society and San Diego Food Bank, with anyone who adopts a pet or donates food receiving two free tickets to the USS Midway Museum.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District 1 will collect donations for veterans’ programs and distribute commemorative poppies.

“Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages,” said Midway president and CEO Mac McLaughlin in a press release. “We’re looking forward to San Diegans stepping forward to honor the Greatest Generation during the dedication ceremony and to donating food or adopting a homeless pet, all in the interest of the community.”

For more information about the festivities or to sign up to renew your vows, visit midway.org.