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1SG (Ret) David Kucic

Video: Flying Out of Honolulu International Airport

Flying out of Honolulu International Airport heading east.

My Personal Visit to the Former East Berlin

Twenty three years ago, I had a position set up in the "Fulda Gap" in West Germany to emplace my M109A3, 155MM Self Propelled Cannon capable of firing a 100 pound high explosive, rocket assisted projectile, approximately 18 miles. Positions were well documented where my .50 Caliber HB M2 Machine Guns would be placed. A diagram was drawn to let my Soldiers know what their left and right limits were so as to not shoot any friendly troops and insure interlocking fields of fire with the other howitzers to our left and right flanks. I had an Air Defense plan in the event that we would get attacked by air from the East German HIND-D helicopters or the fast moving MIG aircraft.

That was then.......

Today, we celebrate the fact that we do not live in a world like that in Germany. The country has become one and the city of Berlin is no longer divided by the wall.

I like it better the way it is now.

Sharing some pictures of my visit to East Berlin in 1985. Under the "Status of Forces Agreement" or SOFA, we as American Soldiers were free to cross the border into East Berlin after providing a stack of paperwork and checking in at Checkpoint Charlie which was manned by American Forces on the West Berlin side. I was fortunate enough to visit the divided city on several occassions and was even able to take my parents and sister there when they visited me in Germany.

1. Allied Checkpoint Charlie on the West Berlin side

2. Looking at Checkpoint Charlie from the East Berlin Side.

3. Brandenburg Gate can be seen on the other side of this building. This view was taken from the East Berlin side.

4. This was the "Changing of the Guards" for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. My fellow Army buddies and myself took turns posing next to these East German Soldiers that we could possibly be facing in war the very next day. When we were positioning for the "best photo", the Soldiers intentionally tried to exaggerate their "Duck Walk" and kick us.

5. This is the East Berlin side of Checkpoint Charlie. When i took my parents through here, they were taken into rooms and searched. They were only allowed to have a certain amount of money with them and were given a 1 for 1 exachange between East and West German Deutsch Marks. It was a total rip off because the value of the East German Mark was terrible compared to the thriving West German Mark. Because of the SOFA, I bought everything that they wanted and carried it back across the border without being checked. They had to go back through the chekcpoint on the East Berlin side and show receipts for whatever they purchased and were only allowed to purchase a certain amount or any overage would be confiscated.

Ewa Beach Hawaii and Fort Weaver Road Traffic

This video was taken on October 5, 2009 at approximately 10:00 am. The video starts att he intersection of Ft. Weaver Road and Geiger/Iroquois Pt. Road. Fort Weaver Road now has 3 lanes open going from Ewa Beach towards Honolulu and coming back into Ewa Beach as well.

Ewa Beach Hawaii and Fort Weaver Road

Fort Weaver Road traffic in and out of Ewa Beach is moving along extremely well as of October 5, 2009. Motorists are no longer complaining about the road. Sometimes, as the construction crews continue with their work, they might have to close down one or two lanes but they are doing that during the middle of the day and not in the morning or evening when traffic is the heaviest. This is a small sacrifice to make to finally have a wider road.

The addition of the third lane is about 80 percent complete from Kolowaka Drive going Ewa Beach bound and from Geiger Road going towards Honolulu. They still have to complete the concrete sidewalks, curbs and landscaping but the most important thing (the third lane) is now open.

In my opinion, home buyers are getting smarter on the situation with the new and improved Fort Weaver Road because I have noticed correctly priced homes in Ewa Beach are going under contract almost as soon as they come on the market. Also there are multiple offers on almost every short sale listing in Ewa Beach. Before the widening of Fort Weaver Road, these statistics were not like this. I must attribute some of the Ewa Beach real estate sales growth partly due to the first time home buyers tax credit but more than that, Ewa Beach homes offer quality construction, larger homes, larger lots, central AC standard in almost every home built since 1997 and most importantly, some of the MOST AFFORDABLE HOMES ON THE ENTIRE ISLAND.

For more information on Ewa Beach real estate, contact your Ewa Beach real estate experts. We LIVE in Ewa Beach and we LOVE Ewa Beach!

David J. Kucic, RA
1SG, USA (Ret)
CRS, GRI, CDPE, ABR, e-PRO
Mobile: (808) 218-9338
Email: david@davidkucic.com
RE/MAX Honolulu, Kapolei, Hawaii Branch

Tonya Kucic, RA
CDPE, ABR
Mobile: (808) 221-3638
Email: tonya@davidkucic.com
RE/MAX Honolulu, Kapolei, Hawaii Branch

FREE VA Home Loan and First Time Buyers Q&A

FREE VA HOME LOAN AND FIRST TIME BUYERS Q&A

We will be hosting a FREE Question and Answer discussion for anyone interested in using their VA Home Loan Eligibility to purchase Hawaii Real Estate. YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND BY CALLING (808) 218-9338.

Location: Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Dates: September 4, 9 and 18th, 2009
Time: 1800-1900
Given By: David Kucic, US Army Retired, RE/MAX Honolulu and Jay Oku, VA Loan Specialist with Evergreen Mortgage Company

Directions to Hoakalei Country Club: Head south on Fort Weaver Road. Turn right on Keoneula Blvd. Go all the way to the end of the road and check in with the security guard who will have your name (this is why you must register). Proceed to the end of the road and walk to the members lounge.

FREE refreshments will be served. Come enjoy the beautiful views of the new Ernie Els designed golf course, watch the sunset and learn about VA Home Loans and Purchasing Hawaii Real Estate.

David Kucic, RE/MAX Honolulu Jay Oku, Evergreen Mortgage Company