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 (13)
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
starship64
Beautiful memorial.
bebopdlx
Beautiful.
Faemike55
powerful
giulband
WEll taken shot that make think about The price of freedom !! Freedom should be free why human stupidity make we pay for it ? I hope than in future men understand this !!
SunriseGirl
Thank you for this poignant reminder. As Giulband said, Freedom should be free. The loss of life and often sanity (for those that physically survive) should not be the price of freedom. Yet these brave soldiers looked fear in the face and just did what they felt they had to do to protect our freedom. The least we can do is always remember and continue to strive for a peaceful world. The Beatles created a song that was somewhat controversial at the time and still might be for some people, but I always loved to imagine all the people living life in peace because the thought of wars and the resulting lives lost really saddens me. My hand goes to my heart with love and respect to all those people and their families and friends who are represented by the stars here . Each life lost affected so many others in turn. "Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... "
jayfar
Very poignant Sig and may they all rest in peace.
ontar1
Great capture!
farmerC
Shining.
flavia49
marvelous photo
danapommet
That must have been a tear jerker coming face to face with this 'gold star' memorial and especially while standing in the World War II memorial.
nefertiabet
Wonderful image and Memory!!!
debbielove
Unless you see places like this, you never quite understand the cost.. News tells us of tragic events where wars or conflicts have killed 30 people in a day.. Well, as you know this is nothing, these teen reporters just have no idea! The first day of the Battle Of the Somme, (WW1) cost 60,000 dead and by the end both battles cost a million.. Thats a million.. A worthy site that should be visited by everyone in your Country if possible as a place like the Bomber Command Memorial should be here.. Respect. Rob