In New York's Times Square they sealed it with a kiss Friday. It was a flash back to that day 65 years ago when a nation celebrated the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.
A 26-foot statute depicting that immortal kiss was unveiled at the cross roads of the world. It is part of the "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" campaign.
Earlier this year former nurse Edith Shain, the woman receiving the iconic kiss, sat down with ABC7 in the South Bay, where she was promoting the "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" campaign.
"And when I came there, there were of course clumps of people who were celebrating and talking about it, so I walked into these people to celebrate with them and all of the sudden someone was holding me and kissing me," Shain said.
Shain died in June at the age of 91. But her dream of a national holiday commemorating the end of the war lives on.
San Jose was one of the first cities to hold a Spirit of '45 day. They will do it again Saturday at San Jose History Park.
"The idea started three years ago, back in 2007, when we realized that there wasn't a day in the American calendar that really recognized this greatest generation," Bay Area Spirit of '45 Day spokesperson Robert Corpus said.
Veteranss like former Marine Skip Adams say it is a great opportunity to share their roles in history.
"I think it's wonderful; they are teaching a lot of young ones what goes on during a war," he said.
The drive for a national day of recognition now has support from Congress.
"Just this past August the Senate and House voted on a concurrent resolution supporting a national "Spirit of 45" day on the second Sunday of August," Corpus said.
Written and produced by Ken Miguel
