Memorial Day Not The Same Without 'Unconditional Surrender'

Your Turn: Tell us where you'd like to place Unconditional Surrender on our map above by plotting a point at this link on Google Maps . Sorry, but "Where the Sun doesn't shine" isn't a mapable location.

Statues and memorials are the universal way we pay homage to a snapshot in time, and this Memorial Day weekend Sarasota doesn't feel like Sarasota without Unconditional Surrender.

When you look back at it, it's ironic that a statue capturing a moment in time that was suppose to unify a nation, split the art community here and then . The styrofoam and aluminum cast statue is in New Jersey now for repairs.

Look, it's not the greatest piece of art, but it is a conversation starter and it attracts crowds. I would garauntee that it has generated more pixels, words and keepsake photos than a controversial mural or two.

Wherever the conversation starts, it should meet with one about the men and women who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. The Life magazine photo represents a sense of relief that we're safe; things are going to be OK.

Of course the country has had more battles and attacks since World War II, but we need something light hearted that makes us say "it's going to get better" especially in these times.

Sarasota also has the Doughboy War Memorial in Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park that provokes a more somber tone with names of veterans listed on the statue's base. It's greatly needed and well respected in its traditional glory and will serve its place as guest speakers will gather around it Monday following the to pay respect to veterans who died for our freedom.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Doughboy Memorial is the Memorial Day statue of Sarasota and Unconditional Surrender is the Veterans Day statue considering the purpose of each holiday and statue, though the Doughboy Memorial has been used in Veterans Day celebrations in the past. It's up to you to think and have your own reaction to pay respect to our veterans dead and alive, but each statue in its own way does serve as a reminder that you need to reflect about the servicemen and women. 

San Diego recognizes this. The city has its own Unconditional Surrender bronze statue (the more expensive, sturdier version). It's actually leaving the waterfront there beside the USS Midway Museum where it has stood since 2007, according to NBC San Diego. But it's not leaving until after Memorial Day.

It, too, is leaving for New Jersey to be restored where Sarasota's version is being repaired. Knowing this, perhaps we can do an even exchange and just divert shipment to Sarasota. We'll take their restored hand-me-down. It's still an upgrade.

Besides, San Diego will get a shiny, brand new version, NBC San Diego reports:

"A $1 million fundraising effort to replace the sculpture with a new bronze version is underway, spearheaded by the USS Midway Museum.

Back in March, the Board of Port Commissioners agreed to accept a local group’s offer to donate a permanent bronze version of “Unconditional Surrender” to the Port of San Diego.

Though bronze, the Port of San Diego said the new replica will look exactly the same in coloration to the sculpture that has been on display in Tuna Harbor since 2007." 

Gus Mollasis of Sarasota is the host of Diamonds Along The Highway, which airs on PBS station WEDU. In a recent episode Mollasis and Venice filmmaker Mark Reese explore the story and reaction of Sarasota's Unconditional Surrender. They even interview Carl "Moose" Muscarello — the sailor and Ft. Lauderdale resident who claims to be the man in the photo.

"Myself, I don't think it's the greatest piece of art, but it does create talk among people who are there," Mollasis told Patch in an interview. (Stay with Patch more this week to learn more about Diamonds Along The Highway.)

"Do I think it's great art? No. But do I think it belongs somewhere in Sarasota? Yes," Mollasis added.

"It represents to Sarasota and really the state of Florida what's leaving us and celebrates the Greatest Generation and also the next generation," he said.

Unconditional Surrender is expected to be back in Sarasota in late summer, perhaps too late for Independence Day. Its location is to be determined.

I don't know what it is about patriotic memorials and traffic hazards, but fittingly considering the Unconditional Surrender situation, the Doughboy memorial was moved in 1954 from Five Points to Hamel Park because it was deemed a traffic hazard, according to Sarasota History Alive.

Patch reader Kafi Benz commented how the isn't constructed correctly because you can see through it. Do you think a 25-foot kissing sailor and nurse would be enough to limit vision through that roundabout or the Palm Avenue roundabout that will open around June 15? It could draw people to downtown and . Make sure there's enough landscaping, and would have a better parking situation than folks flashing their hazards at a busy U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.

Just make sure there's a small brick wall to slow down any car that might barrel through. 

Whether you like it or not, Unconditional Surrender will be back.

Your Turn: Tell us where you'd like to put it using our map above by plotting a point at this link on Google Maps. Sorry, but "Where the Sun doesn't shine" isn't a mapable location.