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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..
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Comments (17)
Faemike55
Nothing like a little reminder of how things are vs how things were.
Great capture
renecyberdoc
luckily i never saw war and such,but you give us an insight of what hell the veterans must go through to this day.and in my eyes the worst is that the governement is spitting on them.
durleybeachbum
PTSD is also only recently being recognised and treated here in the UK too. It ruins lives.
UteBigSmile Online Now!
junge1
@durleybeachbum! Yes I agree, and it can ruin family lives too!
starship64
I'm glad you could go for your friend.
SunriseGirl
I had to favorite this photo if for no other reason than your great comments. I have always hated war of any kind from the time I was a kid and especially during the Vietnam era. The movies try to glamorize it, but in truth it is a horrible, grisly, mind bending experience for those who must be involved. I do not discount the heroic actions of many I just hate that human beings cannot seem to overcome this horrible way of trying to solve their problems. Sorry for the rant and grateful for those who have served. They very much deserve our respect and care.
prutzworks
cool info
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. What does one gain with war - I say absolutely nothing. God bless.
ontar1
Great capture!
blankfrancine
We get all too few glimpses of that war-torn country. Fine capture.
photosynthesis
Interesting photo & thought-provoking comments. I was fortunate enough to have avoided military service due to medical reasons back in the 60's, but I have several very close friends who are veterans of that war & who suffer from PTSD to varying extents to this very day. Some have gone back to Vietnam & have made the visit part of their healing process, while others can't face the prospect of doing that. Though they share the common experience of war, they each have their own personal & unique ways of dealing with it...
Buffalo1
I'm spot on with photosynthesis. I was a year young for service in Vietnam, and my family, including brother, cousin and uncle who had served there were firmly against me joining up. A trip back to Vietnam seems to be very positive for some veterans like Sen. John McCain. For others such as your friend it would just bring back bad memories. My brother and cousin have no desire to return for a visit while a friend of mine who saw hard combat would love to go back. Great pic, Sig and I'm glad you had a chance to see what is going on there today.
weesel
Communism; illusion of happiness and progress when one ignores, or can't see, reality. (They are so happy and devoid of personality, those cartoon people. Should we tell them there are no wires on the pylons? )
A government that advertises to its people that they are doing well is probably trying to convince someone.
Thanks for the image. It says a lot.
Richardphotos
I knew a man years ago that spent several years in a mental health facility here in the states. he was open about what happened to him in Vietnam. him and a buddy was taking a break sitting down. the buddy offered a chocolate bar to a child and when the boy reached for the bar, the boy dropped a small explosive near his friend and the explosion killed his friend. he was so mad that he immediately fired his weapon killing the boy. I forgot how many years that he spent in the hospital, but I do recall he did not want to return
flavia49
nice capture
MrsRatbag
It's a whole different world...