The day, Imperial Japan surrendered in World War 2, bringing the war to an end.
Sarasota City Commissioner Hagen Brody says a lot of the things we celebrate and experience today trace back to the victory of these American heroes
“The freedoms and the liberties that they secured for us so we can have these opportunities today, so it is important that we pay homage, pay tribute, and remember where we came from,” said Sarasota City Commissioner, Hagen Brody.
The veterans of Foreign Wars Sarasota Sunshine Post 3233, along with a group of supporters gathered at the Unconditional Surrender Statue.
“We gather at this iconic symbol of freedom on Sarasota’s magnificent Bayfront to remind the City of Sarasota unequivocally that this statue is ours,” said Commander VFW Sunshine Post 3233, Jim Berger.
The 26-foot-high statue depicting a World War 2 sailor kissing a woman on V-J Day is in talks of being moved from its waterfront home to accommodate round-about construction in October.
Since then controversy has sparked with many opposing the move.
President of Sarasota County Veterans Commission, Carlos Moreira says they are hoping to keep it on the Bayfront
“And if for some reason we’re not able to keep it here on the Bayfront we would like to move the statue across the street to Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park which is also a veteran’s park,” said President of Sarasota County Veterans Commission, Carlos Moreira.
Sarasota City Commission will ultimately decide on the statue’s new home at a meeting in September.
Commissioner Brody says it should be kept in a place that is prominent and gives it its due attention
“It’s one of the most popular landmarks in the city and I think it means a lot to a lot of people including myself so I want to see it somewhere that people can continue to enjoy and see it when they come to visit our great city,” said Brody.
