In a recent development, the Department of Veterans Affairs under the Biden administration has deemed the iconic World War II homecoming photo of a sailor kissing a girl as an instance of “sexual harassment and assault.” The department has called for its suppression.
EXCLUSIVE:
The Department Of Veterans Affairs just BANNED the V-J Day kiss photo from all department facilities.
“To promote a culture of inclusivity and awareness… your cooperation is vital.” pic.twitter.com/MZfNHbpV76
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 5, 2024
The memo, issued only days ago, demanded that this image be banned from all Veterans Health Administration facilities. The photograph in question was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt in Times Square in 1945. It captures a sailor kissing a woman in white on the day Japan’s surrender in World War II was announced.
The memo stated, “This spontaneous moment was celebrated across the United States, and the photograph quickly became a symbol of victory and the joyous end to the long and devastating conflict.”
However, the new “woke” military raised questions about the “non-consensual nature of the kiss.” This led to the ban. But it didn’t take long for a backlash to ensue.
In a swift turn, VA Secretary Denis McDonough reversed the ban. Reports reveal that McDonough issued this change order mere hours after sharing the memo on social media.
McDonough clarified, “Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities — and we will keep it in VA facilities.” He claimed never to have approved the original ban and rescinded it post-dispatch.
Karine Jean Pierre, a spokeswoman for the White House, confirmed that “The VA is not going to be banning this photo,” adding that they were unaware of the unsanctioned memo.
The photograph features George Mendonsa who, in celebration of VJ Day, kissed Greta Friedman whom he had never met before. In 2005, Friedman described it as an “event of thank God the war is over kind of thing.”
The original ban stated that any non-consensual sexual act falls under the Department of Justice’s current definition of sexual assault. It insisted on a “no-tolerance policy,” intending to foster a more trauma-informed environment promoting psychological safety for employees and veterans.
All such images were ordered to be removed immediately, along with any queries directed towards Lelia Jackson, director of the assault and harassment prevention office.