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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 (22)
Faemike55
Very beautiful tribute
adrie
Beautiful capture and tribute.
Jay-el-Jay
A fine photograph of this war memorial.
Minda
amazing capture and tribute, Great info sig..
renecyberdoc
fine tribute.
blinkings
A fine tribute mate. Sir Walter Campbell himself served in The Royal Australian Airforce.
jayfar
A great shot of this magnificent memorial.
drifterlee
Cool statues and shot!!!!
farmerC
Shining Shot.
dbrv6
Great memorial - they look hot - dripping - well done capture to show it off!
emmecielle
Lovely tribute! Great capture! :)
rocdan
great shot and tribute
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
Richardphotos
amazing the talent of the bronze sculptures.superb shot also
sandra46
WONDERFUL CAPTURE
bebert
VERY NICE SHOT FOR THIS NICE MEMORIAL
UteBigSmile
Ein toller Schnappschuss ist dir hier gelungen!
debbielove
A very fine tribute tom some VERY fine, much under-praised servicemen.. ANZAC and British troops in these conflicts were sadly barely honored for many years, sad.. So sad.. And wrong.. Look up Last Stand Of the Glosters in Korea, to see the sort of conditions that prevailed.. ANZAC troops were involved in that as well.. Barely a man survived.. Great shot Sig. Rob
flavia49
beautiful tribute
mariogiannecchini
Amazing capture and tribute ! Great info ,Sig !
neiwil
Very brave and effective soldiers so often overlooked by history, a fine and fitting tribute of which there should be many more.Interesting campaign names..Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation...a bit like our Irish Troubles, the PC way of saying 'soldiers in harms way with their hands tied by red tape and unfair rules of engagement'......if you reach the point of sending in the Military, call it WAR! and pass the ammunition...sorry! kind of drifted off there...great capture, thanks for sharing....
danapommet
Nice shot Sig and I am getting old since I had forgotten the Malayan and Indonesian conflicts.