Edward Mazurkiewicz
The US military transport ‘Darby’ regularly travels between New York and Bremerhaven. The young Marine officer Edward Mazurkiewicz and his comrades enjoy their brief stay in the German port city every time, often going to eat bratwurst. They experienced this in 1965 as well – but on their way to the bratwurst stand, something else caught their attention. They observed two women seemingly randomly approaching passersby. The mystery is quickly solved: One of the women, Waltraud, has a run in her stockings and needs change for the stocking machine. The three Americans gladly lend a hand. Waltraud and her friend’s planned trip to the cinema is forgotten, as is the bratwurst meal for Edward and his comrades. He only has eyes for her. Despite the language barrier, they understand each other instantly. “It was love at first sight,” Edward smiles today. The two exchange addresses, and when the Marine officer has to set sail again the next day, it becomes clear to him: he must see Waltraud again. For almost a year, they write to each other, seeing each other only briefly when Edward’s ship docks in Bremerhaven again. Eventually, in 1966, his military service ends. Edward quickly packs two suitcases and boards a plane to Bremen. Upon arrival, he calls Waltraud: “Pick me up from Bremen Airport!” In Bremerhaven, Edward finds work as a civilian employee of the US Army, as a logistician for shipping cars. Edward is happy, he is with his great love and starts a family with her. In 1968, the couple marries in the Große Kirche in Bremerhaven. Since civilian employees of the Army may only stay at a 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 base there closed in 1995, they moved to Rotterdam. When Edward retired in 1999, he and his wife returned to Bremerhaven for good. Today, they live in their house in Geestland. Their two daughters live in Germany, while their son resides in Colorado. Waltraud and Edward now have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A portrait of Edward Mazurkiewicz is one of the faces displayed on the facade of the new German Emigration Center since June 2021. Before the opening of the extension building with the artistically designed facade, the Nordsee-Zeitung introduced the individuals behind the faces. You can watch the corresponding film portrait of Edward Mazurkiewicz here.