It was a kiss that caught the imagination of a nation. Finally, the big war was over. There was no way that people in Times Square on that August 14, 1945 could be happier. It was the night that George Mendoza kissed Gretta Zimmer Friedman. Gretta was wearing her white nurse’s uniform and George in his dress blues. It was a good time to be a serviceman.

George passed away last week at the age of 96. But his fame lives on in the iconic picture on that famous cover on Life Magazine that historic night a long time ago. The famous picture also caused me to remember another date: New Years 1958. Some of my shipmates and myself caught the subway to Times Square. We too, wanted to be where the action was. Sure enough, at midnight a pretty teen-aged girl turned me around and gave me a big Kiss. She wished me a Happy New Year before vanishing into the crowd.

Our World War II memories and our WWII veterans are fading away. While news stories indicating that our numerous war zones around the globe are diminishing and we have fewer of our young soldiers standing in harm’s way on the various battlefi elds of the world. We are closing in and winding down our intrusion in Syria and the war in Afghanistan seems to be slowing down. Maybe we can bring those guys home too. And sooner better than later. There are many spots around the globe where we still keep the peace, often-times with the risk of our own treasure and lives. I hope that the time is nigh when we can work on our own problems and be more careful how we spend the lives of our young men and women.

An incident near El Paso last week reminds me that no good deed goes unpunished. Something like that. A museum along the US and Mexican borders was over-ran with “illegal’s” and the staff was overwhelmed. Massive vandalism left the place in ruins with pictures of fallen heroes (border agents killed on duty) were defaced and/or destroyed. The staff had to run and the crowd of over 60 foreign trespassers had the run of the place. Just another indication that all is not well along our unsecured and dangerous border.

Meanwhile, further up north, our newest elected Islamic Congresswoman made her presence felt with several rants against Jews and even had the wall map modified in her office erasing Israel and substituting the area as being Palestine. After several more anti-Jewish rants Nancy Pelosi let the young lady from New York know she would have to apologize or give up her seat on the Foreign Relations Committee. Ocasio Cortez then went on to say that taxes are too low on Americans. The income tax level should rise to 70% to give everyone free health care. Her buddy Bernie Sanders wants 77%. That should give the Democrats something else to worry about. Like how to get re-elected in 2020.

Lastly, on another cheerful note, a sperm donor (didn’t catch his name) has dedicated his life to helping women toward more happiness. How, you may ask? His theory is that older women without children to watch after them are deprived of happiness and security. His plans to play Santa for this segment of our ladies is projected to produce 250,000 babies from him alone. He charges Ten Bucks for his sperm donation per ampoule but says he has a special on for 2019-2020 in which they are free if the ladies go the natural method of insemination. Or, free sperm. He has gone to Australia to promote and put action to his program. No word on when he will be working Oklahoma but I guess he will get around to us.

Meanwhile, I hope all of you have a nice weekend and don’t forget to go to your church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

waynebullard@sbcglobal.net