US ambassador and wife lock lips for history
UNITED STATES ambassador Mark Gilbert and his wife, Nancy, have been together for 36 years, but they aren’t throwing away any opportunities to kiss.
The couple met outside Old St Paul’s in Mulgrave St yesterday to practise recreating the world’s most famous lip-lock: the moment an American sailor kissed a nurse in Times Square, New York, on VJ Day: August 14, 1945.
Wellington has brought the 70-year anniversary forward by three weeks, to tie in with the city’s celebrations to mark its 150 years as New Zealand’s capital.
Old St Paul’s will hold a ‘‘Kiss In’’ tomorrow, when the Gilberts will join 100 other Wellington couples in recreating the famous kiss, captured by American photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.
The story behind the photo was what made the moment so beautiful, Mark Gilbert said.
‘‘It’s such a great story of a sailor who was just so excited to hear the war had ended he just grabbed a random woman and gave her a kiss.
‘‘The raw emotion of the moment, that’s what made that photo so very special,’’ he said.
Every five years, on the anniversary of the end of World War II, the Times Square Alliance holds a Kiss In, during which hundreds of people re-enact the legendary liplock.
It was believed to be the first time the feat had been replicated in Wellington, and it was the first time Gilbert had participated in one.
‘‘I think it’s great what they’re doing over at Old St Paul’s to commemorate 70 years since the end of the war, and in conjunction with the city’s 150th anniversary it’s really great.
‘‘There will be a lot of people there, United States service personnel and a lot of other people, for re-enactments of the said.
Those who wanted to take part but did not have somebody special to kiss need not worry, Gilbert said. ‘‘I am sure we’ll find a way for everyone to take part in the festivities.’’
kiss,’’ he