by Michael J. Pach

"I guess I'm just your average person," said retired 1st Sgt. Ernie Mazurkiewicz. Those who have met him would disagree.

Mazurkiewicz enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating from high school and served during the Vietnam War between 1970 and 1973. He went to college for mechanical engineering after the war, attended truck-driving school and then joined the Army in 1984. With 17 years in the Army, he retired in Colorado Springs after being stationed at Fort Carson from 1996 to 2001.

Mazurkiewicz can be seen and heard on post playing taps at memorials, a task he has volunteered for ever since Fort Carson's first casualty of the Global War on Terrorism, Pfc. Jesse Givens, in May 2003.

"Playing taps at the memorial services for Soldiers killed in combat is probably the highest honor I've ever had," said Mazurkiewicz. "What I get to do is tremendous. It's awesome. I feel very privileged and honored every time I do it."

Mazurkiewicz started playing the trumpet in elementary school and continued until he joined the Marines. He picked up his horn again after more than 30 years while he was the first sergeant of Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, here at Fort Carson.

Mazurkiewicz and his Soldiers were assigned funeral detail, so he decided to take his honor guard and pall bearers to Fort Logan to rehearse. He asked the caretaker what the procedure was for performing taps and was told "we have a real pretty tape for it."

"You've got to be kidding me?" said Mazurkiewicz to the caretaker, so he went home, dug up his horn and decided to play taps himself.

That trip to Fort Logan inspired Mazurkiewicz to play again, so he found a church band and has been performing ever since. He currently plays at his church, for the Nazarene Bible College, the New Century Big Band and a brass quintet called Sunny Side Up.

"I really enjoy playing my horn," said Mazurkiewicz. "I'll probably start slowing down a little bit because I want to spend more time with my wife and my grandchildren."

Mazurkiewicz's favorite pastime with his wife Cindy, a financial analyst on Fort Carson for the Directorate of Public Works, is riding his new Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle. They recently returned from a two-week trip and traveled 2,800 miles. Cindy, whom Mazurkiewicz met in 1977 in their home town of Toledo, Ohio, rides on the back of the seat and enjoys the scenery and likes taking pictures.

"She's a sweetheart," said Mazurkiewicz about Cindy. "Army wives - you can't beat 'em. All of them are great people."

Mazurkiewicz started riding motorcycles while in the Marines. He ordered his first Harley-Davison while in Japan just before returning to the United States. He raced motorcycles professionally between 1974 and 1980 with his brother on oval or flat tracks in the Midwest fairgrounds circuit. Races usually consisted of 12 riders speeding around the track at 80-90 mph.

Currently working for Fort Carson Range Control as a heavy equipment operator, Mazurkiewicz said he loves his job and that he's happy with his life.

"The Lord has definitely taken care of us," said Mazurkiewicz.