Times Square To Celebrate V-J Day With Kissing Contest
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Pucker up!
A 26 foot statue now stands in Times Square, depicting the famous moment when an unknown sailor spontaneously kissed a nurse in celebration of the end of World War II.
Crews were at work before dawn on Thursday to put the statue in place. On Saturday, couples will gather in front of the statue and reenact the historic moment in honor of the 65th anniversary of V-J Day.
The Kiss-In will feature an appearance by Dancing With The Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Competing couples will be judged on costume and the authenticity of their pose.
The Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive! grassroots campaign is holding a series of events around the country marking the day of remembrance on Aug. 14 to WWII's "greatest generation."
Organizers say hundreds of WWII veterans and others are expected to re-enact the famous Life magazine kiss in New York.
Edith Shain, who said she was the nurse in that photo, died in June at the age of 91.
The statue can be seen at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Ave.
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