Politics & Government

Midway to Raise Funds in Attempt To Replace Statue

The museum has one year to replace the sculpture, honoring a famous World War II photo, which has to be returned to its owner in May.

Supporters of a bayfront statue depicting a sailor and nurse embracing in a kiss were given one year by the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners to raise funds for a permanent version cast in bronze.

The statue is a popular location for amorous couples to be photographed – with many of them having just come from the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum.

Museum officials agreed to lead a fundraising effort to collect $500,000 to $1 million to pay for a permanent statue. Architect Donald Reeves and his wife, Julia have also called for having a version of the sculpture that will stay in San Diego.

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Midway officials plan to reveal details of their fundraising plans within the next month, according to port spokesman John Gilmore.

The 25-foot-tall statue, “Unconditional Surrender” is on loan to San Diego and has to be returned to its owner, the Santa Monica-based nonprofit Sculpture Foundation, by mid-May.

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The deadline to return the 6,000-pound sculpture, a rendition of an iconic photograph taken in Times Square in New York City at the end of World War II, was originally last week, b.

The commissioners voted 4-2 Tuesday, with Chairman Scott Peters and Commissioner Bob Nelson dissenting. Commissioner Ann Moore had to leave before the vote was taken, Gilmore said.

 

– City News Service


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