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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 (19)
0rest4wicked
The last time I stood before this, there was no such thing as a selfie.......lol
junge1
@Orest4wicked. Good comment. it is getting ridiculous with those selfies!
Faemike55
Thank you for that bit. I was trying to figure out what that lady was doing... Great capture otherwise. Happy Father's Day
jayfar
A great shot and at least she took her hat off !!
Juliette.Gribnau
wonderful capture
nefertiabet
Great Photo. Here I would also love to go times!!!
KarmaSong
What an impressive statue and majestic pose ! Thank you for sharing, Sig !
ontar1
Great capture!
kgb224
I was also wondering about the lady with the camera. Now i know she was staking a capture of herself or a selfie asn it is named by many. Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Cyve
Great shot .
danapommet
An excellent POV and my favorite spot to stand at 2AM with no people and perfect lighting! Great comment about the 'selfie' Dana. Even the spell checker didn't like it!
junge1
@danapommet. I wish I had the time to come back to the mall at different times, like during a rain storm, or after a snow storm, or in the middle of the night, and really be able to absorb the significance of all these historic sites.
jocko500
wow a lot of weight. wonder how they moved it
junge1
@jocko500. It was brought to the site in 18 separate pieces Jock!
CavalierLady
I missed this....thank you for sharing this. I was so impressed with the grandeur and surprised at the many visitors from all over the world when I was there. Very nice image!
virginiese
I agree with Karmasong ! Great capture. Nice serie about Washington
debbielove
Perfectly framed, the people give you an idea of the size. Great shot. Rob
moochagoo
Impressive place, as usual/
flavia49
a very famous place!