JeffL Loc: New Jersey

These days it is so easy to label people with opposing opinions, thoughts, ideals or actions. Gone is the old saying: "I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It." Now, it is more like: "I disagree with what you say, so you must be a c*******t, or a f*****t, or a liberal, or a conservative, or wh**ever I am not. Well, I spent three years in West Berlin, 1966-1969. I saw c*******m up close and personal. I want to share with you what it looked like during the Cold War in a city divided by a wall, barbed wire, mines and tank traps. There were open expanses where anyone trying to escape to the west would be an easy target for the East German guards in their towers.

So, when I think of c*******m, I remember those scenes from almost sixty years ago. I remember the sounds of automatic rifles being used to murder those who tried to flee to a better world. I think about China, North Korea, and Cuba. I think about the degradation I witnessed and what people still endure. The labels that people put on people today have no relationship to what c*******m really is.

A town square divided by a wall.

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Soviet War Memorial in West Berlin. They were the first Allied force to capture Berlin at the end of WWII.

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A road to what became East Berlin ending in barbed wire, a killing field, tank traps and a guard tower not visible in this photo.

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More of the means that the Communists used to keep their people enslaved, unable to get to the West.

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An abandoned train track, ending travel to the East.

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20 Years after the end of WWII, some homes were still destroyed.

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A checkpoint from West to East.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Interesting photos.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Jeff -
Excellent photos of what I wish was a long-ago bygone age when I was young.
With Putin's version of Russia, the more things appear to change the more they actually remain the same

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nice but scary shots.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

Thanks for that and I'll back-up your statements. I was there in the early 1960's as a dependant with my father who was stationed there in Wiesbaden. We toured Berlin, including the Soviet sector. There was no mistaking that it was an armed, occupied and repressed sector. The train ride to Berlin through East Germany was characterized by armed guards and checkpoints and East Berlin by the same and scenes as you describe. The wall had just gone up and many died trying to escape. Today regimes such as Iran and N. Korea remind me of the occupation behind the Iron Curtain but at least East Europe and the Baltic states are free of the yoke provided we can keep Putin under control. I just hope we don't forget.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Great set Jeff!

JeffL Loc: New Jersey

[quote=BurghByrd]Thanks for that and I'll back-up your statements.

Due to my security clearance and my job, I was not allowed to visit the Soviet sector. When I graduated technical school, it was eerie to have the Soviet military magazine “Красная Звезда” (Red Star) list several of us as the new generation of American spies.

However, those airmen and soldiers who did not have clearances often went into the Soviet sector to purchase things like leaded crystal very inexpensively. American dollars were greatly sought after.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

You are absolutely correct. I was there when the border was closed and the wall was started. I served from Feb.1961 until Aug.1963. I was amazed at how bed the East Berliners were treated by the Russians and their own serving in the East German Army. The Soviet Monument has always been on of my favorite spots. It is located in the former British sector and had to be guarded by the Brits to protect the Russian Guards from the West Berliners after the shooting of 18 year old Peter Fechter by the Vopos near Checkpoint Charlie in Aug.1962. I have so many memories of my time there and will aaaalways love the City and the Berliners.

jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

Jeff what unit were you assigned to? I served in Co.A 3rd BG 6th Inf. at McNair Barracks. Feb.1961 until Aug.1963. I was lucky to see our city again in 1998,2006 and 2010.Many changes through the years but still Beautiful Berlin.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

The lure of free everything to the entitlement community, the t***h escapes them!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great series, Jeff.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've often wondered, if socialism is so great, why do people keep trying to escape it? And why do they have to put up strong defenses to try to keep people in it?