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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 (47)
bimm3d
wow!!! gorgeous POV and photo!!!!!!
Richardphotos
an experience I will never have, except for you sharing. thanks.awesome foto Sig
PSDuck
Always like the views from the "gas station"! Never been in one, but I can admite the views, anyway.
carlx
Absolutely fantastic capture!!!
bazza
Now what a great shot, something many of us will never get to see except like this... Thanks for the share Sig, wonderful!!
Briney
Must have been a lovely day for it... the ocean is so clear
renecyberdoc
how is the pilot saying :stick it to me babe.
Meisiekind
Oh wow - what a wonderful image! Its hard to believe that you actually saw and experienced this Sig!! WOW!!! :)
jeroni
Beautiful composition. excellent work
blinkings
My cousin is a Hornet pilot in the Oz Air Force and always says this scares him more than anything else. I can imagine it would! Great photo by the way.
JeffersonAF
Excellent capture.
prutzworks
great shot, thanx for sharing respect for the boomoperator
casmindo
OK Sig now we are talking you just took me back 32 years and back in a 135. Great shot! Nice detail. For me this is a favorite! OK I will wake up and go to work but I remember when that was work no fun well maybe both.
lucindawind
wow what a superb capture ! it really must have been quite an experience
Faemike55
Fantastic shot! It must have been a blast to sit there while this was going on!
auntietk
Thanks for the image to go with your stories! This gives me a fantastic visual context for some of the conversation we had while on the road. Excellent image!
annie5
Very interesting capture Sig! :)
bmac62
I just need 1000 pounds plaese:) Great shot. Like the Arizona Guard getting their due too.
rockstrider
I love these shots for the pure fact that most of us would never be able to see this never mind being able to capture it! Excellent pic!
flora-crassella
super Foto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SIGMAWORLD
COOL!
jocko500
you right there too looking at this. wonderful shot
shadownet
:O)
Miska7
Really nice scene and POV. Great capture!
sandra46
top-notch shot, terrific POV
orig_buggy
you have one heck of a life ...what a wonderful shot!!
npauling
A super capture and not many of us would ever be able to get one like this.
flavia49
wonderful image!!!!! FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aureagle
WoW! V. nice photo indeed!
danapommet
Phenomenal capture Sig. Spotted the "ANG" also. Awesome share. Dana