Facade portrait: Edward Mazurkiewicz
Edward Mazurkiewicz
* 1940 in Reading/Pennsylvania
Immigration to Bremerhaven: 1966
The American troop transport ‘Darby’ regularly travels between New York and Bremerhaven. The young Marine officer Edward Mazurkiewicz and his comrades enjoy their one-day stay in the German port city, always taking the opportunity to eat bratwurst there.
The three men did the same in 1965 – but on their way to the bratwurst stand, something else caught their attention. They watch with interest as two women seemingly randomly approach passersby. The secret is quickly revealed: One of the women, Waltraud, has a run in her stockings and needs change for the stocking machine. The three Americans are happy to help. Waltraud and her friend’s planned trip to the cinema is forgotten, just as is Edward’s bratwurst meal with his comrades. He has eyes only for her. Despite the language barrier, they understand each other instantly.
“It was love at first sight,”
“It was love at first sight,”
Edward says today with a smile. The two exchange addresses, and when the Marine officer has to sail again the next day, he knows one thing: He must see Waltraud again. For almost a year, they write to each other, seeing each other briefly when Edward’s ship docks in Bremerhaven again. Finally, in 1966, his military service comes to an end. Edward quickly packs two suitcases and boards a plane to Bremen. Upon arrival, he calls Waltraud:
“Pick me up from Bremen Airport!”
“Pick me up from Bremen Airport!”
Edward Mazurkiewicz, 1966
In Bremerhaven, Edward finds work as a civilian employee of the US Army, acting as a logistician for the shipping of cars. Edward is happy; he is with his great love and starts a family with her. In 1968, the couple marries in the Great Church in Bremerhaven. As civilian employees of the Army are only allowed to stay at one location for a limited time, the family moves several times in the following years: first to Washington, then to Naples, back to Washington, and finally in 1985 back to Bremerhaven.
After the US military base there closed in 1995, they moved to Rotterdam. When Edward retired in 1999, he and his wife finally moved back to Bremerhaven. Today they live in their house in Geestland. Their two daughters live in Germany, while their son is in Colorado. By now, Waltraud and Edward have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.