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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 (24)
pixelmeister
Very nice capture!
VEDES
Excellent shot!!!!!!!!
jocko500
cool
whaleman
A remarkable edifice and a nice entrance to it as well.
jayfar
You are taking us on a marvellous visit Sig.
Juliette.Gribnau
beautiful photo
Mondwin
Fantastic and beauty image my friend!!!Bravissimo!V:DDD.Hugsxx Whylma
drifterlee
Very beautiful shot!
UVDan
Very nice!
dakotabluemoon
Wonderful piece of history.
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
illkirch
Kind of menacing finger :-)
farmerC
Shining.
dragonmuse
It's name seems kind of ominous to me. Intriguing building though.
flavia49
fabulous capture
tigertim
Interesting.. as I am commenting backwards.. sorry about that... the tower looks very European in influence, quite a contrast vs the ornate porch which seems to have a strong eastern influence.. one doesn't quite go with the other for me. An interesting photo, Sig.
danapommet
Impressive photo my friend and incredible that some of these old buildings are still standing.
junge1
Yes, that tower was influenced by several different periods, and later add-ons weren't really concerned with matching architecture!
starship64
Gorgeous shot!
auntietk
I noticed the same as tigertim. The tower would probably look right at home in Baltimore or Philadelphia! Fascinating shot.
erlandpil
Very nice! erland
ontar1
Cool, outstanding capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
debbielove
An impressive building, meant to be seen I would think.. Great shot, nice POV.. Well taken Sig. Rob
Faemike55
Very cool capture and interesting building