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 (20)
blankfrancine
Nice shot indeed. What an old piece of (still operating) machinery.
durleybeachbum
So interesting ! It reminded me immediately of a play by Eugene Ionesco called Armedee.
MrsRatbag
Wonderful portrait of this fine lady! And that switchboard is still in use? Wow!!!!
junge1
Yes! This switchboard caused me to take that picture, with her permission of course!
Faemike55
Very cool! wonderful lady and great switchboard
ArtistKimberly
Delightfully Beautiful
npauling
She looks very happy for you to take this excellent capture. ☺
starship64
Great picture.
giulband
Very fine capture !
Juliette.Gribnau
lovely lady; cool switchboard
ontar1
That is nice, great capture!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Buffalo1
A lovely lady and what a switchboard! She obviously takes great pride in her business.
farmerC
Exellent shot.
virginiese
Very nice portrait. And the switchboard is simply stunning !
Desgar
Great picture. That switchboard has been maintained very well, and you made the owner's day with taking the picture!
jocko500
wonderful
SunriseGirl
What a fun photo. The lady looks so pleasant and the switchboard is quite a wonderful surprise in this modern day. What an interesting and fun share.
rbowen
Very nice capture!
flavia49
wonderful capture