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VA Axes Secret Plan To Hide Iconic V-J Day Photo Over Lack Of ‘Inclusivity’
The Federalist ^ | 3/5/23 | Shawn Fleetwood

Posted on 03/05/2024 7:12:10 PM PST by Impala64ssa

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) abandoned plans Tuesday to remove an iconic World War II-era photo from its facilities due to an alleged lack of “inclusivity.” The move came following backlash that emerged immediately after the decision was leaked earlier that day.

In a memo issued last Thursday, VA undersecretary RimaAnn Nelson requested agency officials remove the “V-J Day in Times Square” photo from all Veterans Health Administration facilities, in compliance with the VA’s goal of “maintaining a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed environment.” Taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1945, the iconic photograph depicts a Navy sailor kissing a female stranger during the Victory over Japan Day celebration in New York City at the end of World War II.

In her memo, Nelson claimed the picture represented a “non-consensual act,” and argued that allowing its presence in agency facilities “is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault.” She further asserted that while the photo’s placement in VA buildings “was initially intended to celebrate and commemorate the end of World War II and the triumphant return of American soldiers,” views on “historical events and representations evolve.”

“Recent discussions have highlighted concerns about the non-consensual nature of the kiss, prompting debates on consent and the appropriateness of celebrating such images in today’s environment,” Nelson wrote. “To foster a more trauma-informed environment that promotes the psychological safety of our employees and the Veterans we serve, photographs depicting the ‘V-J Day in Times Square’ should be removed from all VHA facilities.”

“This action reflects our dedication to creating a respectful and safe workplace and is in keeping with our broader efforts to promote a culture of inclusivity and awareness,” she added.

The X user known as EndWokeness posted the leaked memo Tuesday morning, generating widespread backlash and condemnation of the VA and its ludicrous decision. This prompted VA Secretary Denis McDonough to issue a statement on X, with a caption accompanying the V-J Day photo reading: “Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities — and we will keep it in VA facilities.”

While McDonough did not say whether the memo was legitimate, The Military Times confirmed its authenticity late Tuesday morning. Agency officials reportedly told the outlet the document “should not have been sent out and was formally rescinded on Tuesday,” but “did not provide details of whether senior leaders were consulted on the matter ahead of Nelson’s memo.”

Two unidentified officials who spoke with the Associated Press also verified the memo as authentic


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; War
KEYWORDS: va; vjday; woketards; ww2
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Anyone paying attention should've realized the slippery slope we've been on since the first Confederate statue was removed. The VA was shamed into rescinding this dumbass idea..this time.




1 posted on 03/05/2024 7:12:10 PM PST by Impala64ssa
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To: Impala64ssa

They will just do it without saying a word and hopes nobody notices.


2 posted on 03/05/2024 7:13:47 PM PST by Jonty30 (I may not know as much american history and law as I like, but I know more than most liberals.)
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To: Impala64ssa
My wife and I...

These people can kiss my ass.

3 posted on 03/05/2024 7:17:15 PM PST by rlmorel ("The stigma for being wrong is gone, as long as you're wrong for the right side." (Clarice Feldman))
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To: Jonty30

I’ll notice. And I suspect I will have a lot of company.


4 posted on 03/05/2024 7:17:48 PM PST by rlmorel ("The stigma for being wrong is gone, as long as you're wrong for the right side." (Clarice Feldman))
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To: Impala64ssa

So when are they going to tear down the Iwo Jima monument?


5 posted on 03/05/2024 7:17:59 PM PST by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
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To: Impala64ssa

“non-consensual act...is inconsistent with the VA’s no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault”

Yet the same people are just fine with insane MEN going into young teen girl locker rooms and parading around naked against the girls’ wishes. That is most definitely “non-consensual.”


6 posted on 03/05/2024 7:19:42 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Just claim that the sailor is trans and the picture depicts a beautiful lesbian scene!


7 posted on 03/05/2024 7:25:36 PM PST by 17th Miss Regt ( )
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To: Impala64ssa

Facts are stubborn things.


8 posted on 03/05/2024 7:25:52 PM PST by simpson96
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To: Impala64ssa
This is the disgusting, filthy pig of a witch.

And she is the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Veterans Health Administration. Shame. Shame. Shame.

But I take comfort in knowing veterans out there will give her the urinal Jane Fonda treatment. I know I am not alone in my disgust at her, and the people, all of them, who put her in that position.

Shame. Shame. Shame.

9 posted on 03/05/2024 7:28:10 PM PST by rlmorel ("The stigma for being wrong is gone, as long as you're wrong for the right side." (Clarice Feldman))
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To: Impala64ssa

Damn Cancel Culture Club homos are at it again.


10 posted on 03/05/2024 7:28:47 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Could a "caravan" of freeloading U.S. citizens be able to make it into Mexico before they are shot?)
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To: Impala64ssa

Damn Cancel Culture Club homos are at it again.


11 posted on 03/05/2024 7:28:56 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Could a "caravan" of freeloading U.S. citizens be able to make it into Mexico before they are shot?)
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To: Jonty30
The X user known as EndWokeness posted the leaked memo Tuesday morning, generating widespread backlash and condemnation of the VA and its ludicrous decision.

Our side's not going to go down quietly. Good for EndWokeness.

12 posted on 03/05/2024 7:36:36 PM PST by GOPJ (Question: What are the two things Biden finds at ice cream shops? A. Ice cream and young children.)
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To: hardspunned

Don’t give them ideas


13 posted on 03/05/2024 7:36:36 PM PST by xp38
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To: Impala64ssa

So who’s saying it’s not consensual? The only one that could make that statement is the woman in the photo... And I’m d*** sure on VJ. Day everybody was celebrating and partying.A lot of “Consensual”


14 posted on 03/05/2024 7:38:55 PM PST by tophat9000 (Tophat90000)
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To: Impala64ssa
Undersecretary RimaAnn O.Nelson penned the complaint
VA undersecretary RimaAnn Nelson

By Benjamin Krause September 30, 2016: BREAKING – Rima Nelson, New Phoenix VA Director, Has Skeletons In Closet

Under the watchful eye of Rima Nelson, St. Louis VA closed twice due to serious medical safety issues. The facility also ranked dead last in patient satisfaction. Negligent medical practices also resulted in 1,800 veterans being potentially exposed to HIV.

I called the facility to verify her ascension to control at Phoenix. The email went out to workers at the facility yesterday. And below is what veterans and the workers at the facility get to look forward to after stress at the facility chewed up and spit out Deborah Amdur last month.

I can't seem to find any personal data about this woman.

15 posted on 03/05/2024 7:40:51 PM PST by Robert DeLong
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To: Impala64ssa
Lawrence Verria and George Galdorisi, authors of The Kissing Sailor, a 2012 book about the identity of the subjects of the photograph that had become so famous, used interviews of claimants, expert photograph analysis, and identification of people in the background, as well as, consultations with forensic anthropologists and facial recognition specialists. They concluded that the woman was Greta Zimmer Friedman and that she was wearing her dental hygienist uniform in the photograph.

If she was, she never lodged a complaint about it.

16 posted on 03/05/2024 7:52:48 PM PST by Robert DeLong
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To: Impala64ssa

This whole thing was allegedly brought forward by complaints from VA staff;

I’m going to suggest that all FReeper VA patients wear a t-shirt emblazoned with the image to their next appointments and beyond.


17 posted on 03/05/2024 7:54:58 PM PST by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: Impala64ssa
"VA Axes Secret Plan To Hide Iconic V-J Day Photo Over Lack Of ‘Inclusivity’"

The lack of Japanese in the photo is appaling.

18 posted on 03/05/2024 7:58:21 PM PST by Joe 6-pack
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To: hardspunned

Remember the two firemen who removed an American flag from a boat and hung it over the ruins of the World Trade Center in 2001?

The powers that be wanted to erect a statue depicting these two men, but they wanted one of the men to be black. In reality, these two men are both white.

Un uproar ensued, and I believe the powers that be back pedaled.


19 posted on 03/05/2024 8:02:59 PM PST by july4thfreedomfoundation (Disband and Defund the putrid FBI. America does not need an out of control Gestapo)
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To: Robert DeLong

I seem to recall they found out who she was some years back, and she was quite proud of that moment!

She should have been. An iconic moment of human joy.

My disgust with this scummy 2nd rate, Affirmative Action, grifting, good for nothing, seagull administrator knows no bounds.

If I knew where she worked, I would purchase a bunch of urinal pads to put in every urinal in the facility.


20 posted on 03/05/2024 8:06:44 PM PST by rlmorel ("The stigma for being wrong is gone, as long as you're wrong for the right side." (Clarice Feldman))
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