Unconditional Surrender statue celebrated at ceremony

The rededication ceremony was held Aug. 14.

  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 5:20 p.m. August 14, 2021
  • Sarasota
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Sarasota veterans groups and supporters gathered at the Unconditional Surrender statue's new location for a rededication ceremony on Aug. 14. 

The event, organized by VFW Post 3233, had city officials and figures speaking to the importance and historical relevance of the statue based off the historic photo of a Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on V-J Day. The photo was made on Aug. 14, 1945. 

Jan Hamel Solomon, VFW Post 3233 commander Jim Berger, Mayor Hagen Brody and others spoke to the statue's legacy to an assembled crowd. 

The ceremony had a surprise ending — Philadelphia resident Tito Reyes proposed to his girlfriend Taina Roman beneath the statue. 

 

 

Jim McSorley and Don MacLean
Jim McSorley and Don MacLean
Attendees gather for the ceremony.
Attendees gather for the ceremony.
Wayne Hill of American Legion post 159
Wayne Hill of American Legion post 159
Photos of figures from the statue's past were put up for the audience.
Photos of figures from the statue's past were put up for the audience.
Fred Tomasello, Joe Reynolds, Jim Clarke and Steve Doughty of American Legion Post 159
Fred Tomasello, Joe Reynolds, Jim Clarke and Steve Doughty of American Legion Post 159
Attendees gather for the ceremony.
Attendees gather for the ceremony.
Jan Hamel Solomon leads with the invocation.
Jan Hamel Solomon leads with the invocation.
Mayor Hagen Brody speaks to the audience.
Mayor Hagen Brody speaks to the audience.
Paul Kirkham spoke to the audience.
Paul Kirkham spoke to the audience.
Sarasota groups turned out to support the statue.
Sarasota groups turned out to support the statue.
Charles Bailey speaks to his role in bringing the statue to Sarasota.
Charles Bailey speaks to his role in bringing the statue to Sarasota.
VFW members fire their guns in respect.
VFW members fire their guns in respect.
Tim Solomon and Jan Hamel Solomon
Tim Solomon and Jan Hamel Solomon
VFW Honor Guard member Mike Rogers
VFW Honor Guard member Mike Rogers
Danny Bilyeu plays Taps.
Danny Bilyeu plays Taps.
Ross Tucker and Jerry O'Donnell
Ross Tucker and Jerry O'Donnell
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman
Tito Reyes proposes to Taina Roman

 

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