The Homecoming Statue

This is a fun little visit back to history! There are a lot of tourist and everyone wants their picture with the statue, so you just have to be patient and wait a turn where there are no pushy rude tourist that are also there.

Super cool statue standing high in the sky symbolizing love for one another!
Super awesome this exisits here as i had no idea it was here until we randomly stumbled across it the other night around midnight.
We will deffinitly be back to visit this statue sometime in the future as it sits right along side the water and just creates a rad positive environment for all to see!

Errrrrr… I hadn’t intended on doing a review on the Homecoming Statue. But, I feel like I have to clarify. Previous Unilocalers posted pics of «Unconditional Surrender» (sailor & nurse from WWII kissing) on here. It’s an amazing statue in it’s own right. But it’s not the «Homecoming Statue». I don’t want others to get confused.
The Homecoming Statue is on the harbor edge & depicts the reunion of a sailor with his wife & child.
As a former Navy wife, I find this scene quite lovely & touching. It is a scene that is often played out here in San Diego. The artist captured the emotions perfectly!
I should also note that the original Homecoming statue is in Washington D.C. This San Diego statue is a replica.

I was quite surprised to see a full-​sized replica of The Homecoming Statue sitting in Tuna Park in San Diego, right near the USS Midway, and so I hiked up there to have a look.
The statue depicts a famous WW II photo showing the joy of reunion between a family when the sailor returns from a long period at sea. The statue allegedly honors the sacrifices made by families and members of all the sea services during long separations. I understand that the reality of the original embrace and kiss was less than consensual between the sailor and the nurse, but I’ll let the historians argue that point.
I’ve seen the original statue on display at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC as well as the Sarasota, FL version known as «Unconditional Surrender: The Kiss» which sits near St. Armands Circle.
Despite the supposed negative overtone of the statue, I know many who look on this image as a symbol of the tragedy or war, the relief of surrender, and a memorial to the WW II vets and their families.

This statue is a great expression of a homecoming between family which is so prevalent in San Diego with our service men and women. It embraces the sacrifices made while they are away serving our country and then coming home to those waiting through the separations. This statue is surrounded by other prevalent memorials and significant pieces– a must see in Downtown San Diego