Homecoming
The work, “Unconditional Surrender” by Seward Johnson II, is based on a famous Life magazine photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt taken in Times Square on Aug. 14, 1945, the day the Japanese announced their surrender. In response to copyright issues, Johnson states that he used a similar photograph of the kissing couple taken by Victor Jorgensen, which is still in the public domain
The statue represents what is an incredible moment in any service member’s life.
This more than life size statue made of a foam core with a urethane outer layer was a temporary exhibit on the San Diego harbour park, near to the Midway until May 2012. It was criticised for being “kitsch” but many couples liked to imitate the pose, and in a navy town it is most appropriate. Wikipedia
Apparently it has been replaced with a bronze statue though I don’t know of its size. Maybe you have seen the new statue?
If you would like to see what others have come up with for this challenge then go to the Daily Post @ WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge
TRAVEL WORDS 
Nice take on the Monument theme! I think it’s a wonderful statue and shame on the distractors. I’ve seen the original photograph and, by the way, it won for Eisenstaedt a Pulitzer Prize!
Meanwhile, you’re welcome to come and see what my take on the theme is:
http://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/weekly-photo-challenge-monument-2/
The original photo is a monument in itself.
🙂
Love your choice Jude – also a memorable moment for the loved one being kissed LOL. I think it’s adorable 🙂
Never heard of this statue before, but ended up seeing it twice in a row, while checking out the WPC entries! It’s kinda cool. Wind Against the Current also has this as one of the pics for this challenge 🙂
Was just in San Diego during Fleet Week and it was there.