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Hundreds of liplocks to honor armed forces

Calling all smoochers: Your services are needed in New York City’s Times Square at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

On that day, Aug. 14, the fourth annual Times Square Kiss-In takes place, and the first 200 smoochers will receive a free Dixie cup-style sailor’s hat and roses.

The event, first held in 2004, celebrates the anniversary of the end of World War II and recreates one of the signature moments in the famous square the day victory was declared over Japan — Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famous photo of a sailor bending back a nurse and planting one on her.

The event actually is meant to honor the entire armed forces. It purports to “Pucker up for Peace” — furthering the ideals of peace, love and hope — all of which, of course, is captured in that famous photo.

The event will take place on “Military Island” — the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, when the Times Square Alliance invites couples from all generations to gather for a “smoochfest,” to include veterans of World War II as well as returning veterans of the Iraq War, and couples in costumes commemorating the original 1945 kiss.

Participation is free. A raffle will offer multiple prizes, with the grand prize a night for two in a Times Square Hotel, two tickets to a Broadway show and dinner for two.

You can register online at for prizes. You must be present to win.

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