‘The Kiss’ – Omaha’s Memorial Park hosts WWII ‘Embracing Peace’ sculpture
It’s the kiss heard ’round the world. But, in later years, it became a symbol of sexual assault. A sailor, celebrating the end of World War II, grabbed a woman and kissed her in New York’s Times Square. At the time, it represented the joy of the war ending with Japan’s surrender.
Today, “Embracing Peace” stands at Omaha’s Memorial Park, a short walk from other military monuments. The 25-foot-tall sculpture is on display through Nov. 15 as part of the park’s 75th anniversary. Seward Johnson designed the art piece based on photos depicting the scene.
In recent years, looking back at the kiss, the sailor and the woman recounted the incident. He said he grabbed the first woman he saw and kissed her to celebrate. She remembered being surprised by the kiss and that it was forceful, not passionate. Both have since died.
The original photo went to become a symbol of the war ending. The heat of the moment in celebrating the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
The statue, which weighs 35,000 lbs., is located on a stand in front of the World War II memorial and one honoring Korea and Vietnam War veterans.
The World War II memorial is a white colonnade that stands atop a hill overlooking Memorial Park. Once a Dundee neighborhood golf course, the land was turned over to a group to create the memorial. Honoring about 1,000 men and women from Douglas County who died while serving during the war, the monument anchors the other military memorials.
The Korean and Vietnam War memorial recognizes the people who served during those two conflicts. It depicts a soldier kneeling on one knee while a small child sits on the other.
As part of a renovation of Omaha’s riverfront parks, a few military monuments and memorials were relocated to the north side of Memorial Park.
“Airborne” recognizes the soldiers who have served as paratroopers, depicting an Army Ranger at the jump position of an airplane.
Nearby, “Freedom is not Free,” a stone monument, recognizes the men and women who have been held as prisoners of war.
Another monument celebrates the US Marine Corps.
A historical marker recognizes the Revolutionary War.
“Victory 95” is an all-encompassing monument recognizing the sacrifices people made on the home front for men and women to serve in the military. From parents seeing their child off to war to a woman working in a plant, as well as a child saluting the flag, the monument offers an appreciation of everyone’s sacrifice. But the monument’s greatest sacrifice may be the sculpture of a man hugging his children. Is he saying good-bye or embracing them on his return home from the war?
A monument recognizing World War I veterans is located at Turner Park, which is part of Midtown Crossing.
Memorial Park is known for being a great spot for summer fun and winter sledding, as well as daily walks. But it serves as a place to give thanks to the people who have served their country, with thousands of our neighbors giving the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.
