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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 (32)
lyron
Great portrait!!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
flora-crassella
cool portrait!!!!!
farmerC
Shining.
emmecielle
A valuable record of that time! Excellent portrait, Sig! :)
annie5
Glad to see you..cool capture! :)
Faemike55
Very good portrait!
flavia49
WOW!!! splendid portrait!!!
jascorpio
You are a star!!!! Very beautiful B/W portrait!!!
carlx
Fantastic portrait!!!
sandra46
AWESOME IMAGE!!!
drifterlee
Cool shot!
lucindawind
absolutely fabulous shot ! love it
tennesseecowgirl
You look alot like my neighbor next door... a great kid that has been home from college for a bit and is always sweet to help out. Great photo..
jocko500
good to see you young now. I remember seeing you live a few years ago
auntietk
You haven't changed a bit! :D
renecyberdoc
that you brother a fine dude ,you look great healthy strong. hey am not gay just like to see good looking people.
bazza
LOL at Rene, Nice shot a superb portrait..
sharky_
Salute! Aloha
billcody
A very personal pic, brother! I must smile, when I see it. Creates very personal memories for me. This must be one of the oldest here in your collection. The quality is outstanding for such an "oldtime" pic. Hope you are well.
dbrv6
Excellent shot there - makes a great portrait with interest.
danapommet
Super shot and your facial features haven't changed very much. Dana
thevolunteer
Wow, so that is what you looked like back then. Love the b/w posting. Aloha
MagikUnicorn
Stunning SOUVENIR
moochagoo
A great souvenir and a very good portrait
Minda
GREAT portrait sig and excellent capture ....:)
Richardphotos
good to see you back and an outstanding portrait
debbielove
Now, I'm impressed! Respect.. Rob
dragonmuse
Wonderful portrait :)
Ionel
Nice to see you Sig!