Two weeks ago, on a Sunday, George Mendonsa died. He was 95 years old.
George who? Yeah, I didn’t know who he was either, but…
I’ve seen his picture. We’ve all seen his picture. This picture…
This image, captured as people poured into the streets to celebrate the end of WWII, has become a romantic icon. Lovers reunited.
The reality behind the image?
George Mendonsa and Greta Zimmer Friedman weren’t lovers. They weren’t friends. They’d never met, never even seen each other before. Complete strangers.
George saw a woman in a nurse’s uniform and wanted to say thank you to all the nurses who’d cared for wounded sailors on hospital ships.
Greta, who passed away in 2016 at 92, remembers that she didn’t have much choice in the matter. This stranger just grabbed her, kissed her in celebration. In her own words, “It wasn’t a romantic event.”
But, the camera didn’t know that.
Here’s the thing about cameras, they see everything, and interpret nothing.
That’s our job.
AimerBoyz 
What a wonderful backstory, Aimer! Thanks so much for sharing this. Made my day…and made me think!
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Thanks 🙂
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The photo proves that people will look and want to believe in love whenever possible. George was right to be thankful for nurses, but I suspect if this happened today Greta would leave knuckle marks on George’s face.
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You’re right. Times have changed 🙂
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Didn’t this same thing just happen with the footage of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga at the Oscars? People wanted to see steamy romance where there was performance and entertainment.
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LOL! I watched the Oscars, but I missed that bit 🙂
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He made his mark.
JP
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His 15 minutes of fame turned into a lifetime 🙂
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Man! Can’t even imagine how incredible the buzz in the air was that day! And how funny! I’d heard the story before but somehow walked away thinking she’d enjoyed the kiss! 😄 Ah well. Great post that leaves a very cool reminder of perspective floating around my brain…Thank You, Aimer! Cheers!!! 🙂
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I’d always assumed they were a couple the war had separated… context, right? 🙂
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Absolutely! I’d thought the same originally!
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