Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (13)
amlondono
Awesome capture ! . Wish i knew german to be able to read them . Sig , I love this photo , Ana
cameraobscura2
Greetings, I recall following the events and when the wall did come down and the gates opened up, I wanted to return with my son who was just one year old. I wnet to Berlin's HFBK school for the arts early in the 70's. Thank you for sharing. egmont
OJM
Souvenirs, souvenirs, ... Nice picture, that reminds me a lot of things ... I had my own 'tag' on some part of the wall, but I guess that part was broke down. PhEn.
Valerie-Ducom
Excellent and a lot memory come back in my heart... Excellent ! Good day :)
Mousson
A historical document! I have a piece of wall
Ionel
Excellent and very interesting capture!!!
artaddict2
Good that you have the pictures, your own capture of history. very artistic look to this .
Valentin
That's a part of history and the real life, and your shot keep it for the progeny.
Silvra
Das ist ein geschichtstraechtiges Foto! Fantastisch fotografiert! Danke fuer's anschauen!
adonise
Nice architecture...
KarmaSong
One of my greatest regrets: not to have seen the 'Wall' before 1989, and see what Berlin looked like at the time. A wonderful and most impressive History capture, Sig! Excellent! thank you for sharing .
billcody
A very historic pic, Sig! Thanks for sharing! I remember my "photosessions" by day and night here in the last summer and think about the masses of tourists with their digicams.... Watch the old grassy tracks of the tram in the foreground. They are from World War II times...
smillinfaces
great a Historic Picture good shoot, greetz smillinfaces