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 (31)
kgb224
Excellent capture my friend.
auntietk
What a wonderful view - I'm sure I would have sat there just drinking it all in. Such history!
Shoot2ThrillPhoto
The stories the place must hold. Has photo op written all over it!
lyron
Fantastic view. Great shot!!
PIERRE25
Joli édifice, excellente photo!
bugatti
nice pic ...
qrud
great place
ysvry
great foto
Cosme..D..Churruca
impressive vista of this fortaleza! super.
casmindo
Great picture of a very interesting land mark with so much history! Nice job
debbielove
A great picture. Just full of history and memories! For you and for me.... Many time doing the same thing in many ports! Thanks my friend. Rob.
MrsRatbag
Awesome POV and capture!
virginiese
beautiful fortification !
annie5
Great view..superb photo Sig! :)
MongusKing
Amazing work !!!! XCellent my friend!!!
flaviok
Fantástica captura hitórica, excelente, aplausos (5)
Buffalo1
This is such a cool old fort, Sig. I can handle as many views as you have got!
emmecielle
Splendid view! :)
durleybeachbum
This is an exciting holiday!
duncanoooo
The fort is so ominous, even today. I can only imagine the stories it holds. Great pix.
Minda
this is awesome place sig really beautiful view...stunning shot!!
bmac62
That's one big pile of bricks Sig. Thanks for the second look.
densa
fantastic view and shot
carlx
Wonderful capture!!!
jocko500
very powerful pov of this place
pixelmeister
Stunning shot!
amanda_a42
Fabulous shot, most impressive!
lucindawind
fantastic capture while you wre gliding .. its a wonderful old fortress
thevolunteer
Beautiful. I always wonder how they made these huge castles. So much work. And the technology was so different then. Great shot Sig. Aloha
bebert
impressionnant !!