Welcome to the book tour for Marines Don't Cry, a memoir by Danny Garcia and Jackie C. Garcia. You'll get a peek inside of their journey with an excerpt and a few interview questions. Be sure to follow the tour for even more. And then check out the great giveaway, which has multiple winners!
Have you ever been lost -- really lost?
Danny and Jackie answer this question in Marines Don’t Cry with stories of death to life, deep sorrow to joy, darkness to light, and freedom in Christ.
Danny recounts his early life in Spanish Harlem and describes conversion from a life of drugs and “the fast lane” to one consumed with knowing and serving God. This makes his journey of walking more than 52 million steps on six continents for children and world peace such an incredible story.
Marines Don’t Cry is about the transformational power of God’s love: how Danny found his calling and is delivering the message of Christ at all costs.
Read an excerpt:
Chapter 12: Walking for Children Around the World
“You Don’t Have Enough Bullets”
As we left the Arab village and continued toward Baghdad, the security patrol noticed something odd. In the distance, the guards saw large groups of people coming toward the caravan. About 20,000 people were walking toward us and were converging on us. The people were coming from both sides of the road. The military escort responsible for my safety became agitated and concerned. The crowds were not racing angrily toward us, but we were clearly outnumbered. Although the vehicles had automatic machine guns at the front and back of the caravan, I think the escorts were afraid.
“What shall we do, Mr. Garcia? They are coming!” the guards exclaimed.
“You don’t have enough bullets. Let them come,” I said.
As the crowd got closer, I could hear them singing. The caravan came to a stop. The guards were shocked. The people were in unison, in harmony, like a massive choir. The melody was beautiful.
“Why are they doing this? Why are they singing? Are they singing to me?” I asked.
“This is unbelievable,” said the guards. “They are singing to you! They are welcoming you.”
“Welcome,” they sang lovingly. “You are welcome!”
I absorbed the beauty of this moment and melted in their love for me. I smiled as the crowds joined the caravan. In unison, we continued forward into Baghdad. More than fifty TV cameras from around the world, including China, were waiting and recorded the entry into Baghdad. The sponsors made sure that all vehicles were removed from the main highway so that we were clear to walk. We walked up and over a bridge, the main bridge into the city of Baghdad, and thousands of people were flashing cameras in the daytime.
The city welcomed us. The Iraqi Olympians cried. Never had they been acknowledged with such a welcome.
In front of all the people was a little girl, maybe six years old. She stepped toward me and, looking up, raised a flower to give to me. I bent down to accept her flower. Then I picked her up, turned her around, and set her on my shoulder for the crowds to see this beautiful child. The people went wild and shouted with joy and happiness. My gesture was a message to the world:
“Everyone, see her! This is your child. I love her, you all should love her! She is who I care about. The children, we must protect them.”
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My Uncle Victor was like a father to me because he was always there for me and taught me how to be a man, how to fight, how to survive. He was my mentor, and I loved his stories of Golden Gloves Boxing and of the military. In our book, we wrote quite a bit about significant mentors at different times in my life. Bud Roberts of Shell Oil, during the Wood Stock era; General Krulak, USMC, during my time as a Marine in San Diego; and Mr. Alexander, Consulate General of Grenada to Mexico. But the person who has influenced me the most, is Jesus Christ. He saved me from eternal death and he gave a whole new life and purpose to share his love and redemption.
When did you realize that you had a connection with God?
That’s a deep question. In my early years when I was in Catholic school, the clergy and teachers taught me about God. But I really did not know him, not as Lord, not as Savior. When I was 33 years old and had a life and death experience. My spirit left my body, and knew I was dying, and I knew that I was destined for hell because of the life of sin I had been living. Only when I screamed, “Jesus, save me!” did I know that he touched me and allowed me to live. When I said those words, I was crying out for salvation of both my body and spirit.
Were you afraid when you called out to God?
Oh yes, I was afraid I would physically die. All my life, prior to this time, I was always a winner, always the best athlete, always the best gang negotiator. I was well-liked and successful. I was a competitor. But when the concoction of drugs in my system took over, I was truly afraid for the first time in my life. My experiences in Spanish Harlem, Vietnam, police and prison work did not compare to the fear I felt at that moment. I was helpless as I faced death.
How does one know if/when they have a connection with a God?
I have never been the same since that moment when my spirit returned to my body. There was a peace I had never experienced, a freedom, a salvation. My living became living for Christ. How can you know? All I can say it that it is a personal experience between you and your creator. I became a new person – I did not act the same, speak the same, think the same as before. I was transformed and knew it deep down in my soul. There comes a time when you cannot ignore God – he always wins.
About the authors:
Danny Garcia, The Walking Man, was born and raised in New York’s Spanish Harlem. He served as a United States Marine, law enforcement officer, and ordained minister. Since 1996, he has prayed and walked over 52,000, 000 steps on six continents for children and world peace. During his journeys, Garcia met with dignitaries all over the world, ministering to the famous and to the poorest of the poor. Danny made presentations to Kings/royals, Presidents, and other world leaders, to include four Presidents of the USA, several Prime Ministers of other countries, the Pope, Mother Teresa, Ambassadors and various eminent personalities and multilateral organizations. Garcia began his journey as a personal commitment to peace and children and continued walking and raising funds for multiple charitable organizations.
Danny is married to the former Jacqueline Charsagua of El Paso, TX, and they work side by side to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more information, visit Danny’s website, www.globalwalk.cc.
Jackie Charsagua Garcia is married to Daniel Garcia. She graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, in 1985 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management. While in the US Air Force, Jackie specialized in communications, acquisition, systems engineering, and information technology.
After a rewarding and fulfilling Air Force career, she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the summer of 2006, having spent more than 21 years on active duty. Since 2006, she has supported and advised on all aspects of her husband’s walks and charitable initiatives within the United States and abroad. She joined Danny during his Africa Walk in 2007 and ministered in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Southern Sudan. During this time, her faith and reliance on God grew tremendously under the mentorship of Danny Garcia. The Global Walk experience gave Jackie an opportunity to serve God abroad, and her vision is to spread the hope, love, and the grace of Jesus Christ through her writing. She is a native of El Paso, TX, mother of one amazing daughter, and a breast cancer survivor.
Websites:
https://marinesdontcry.com
https://www.globalwalk.cc
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dannygarciawalkingman/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/263639465513321
https://www.facebook.com/jackiecharsagua.garcia
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dannyg_walking man/
https://www.instagram.com/jackiecg_usafa85/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBYOx4vqntVWUtW8pnefqg/videos
YouTube link of an interview with Danny and Jackie for the Veterans History Project: https://youtu.be/tiJV0RdVmis
Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-c-garcia/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-walk-inc/
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Ten randomly chosen winners via rafflecopter will win a free copy of the eBook.
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your book!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Tami Vollenweider.
DeleteHello Andi and Uplifting Reads (great site title,btw). Thanks for hosting our book and us as guest bloggers. In our chaotic 🌎 world, we find we must remain centered in our faith to be of service to others, to give hope and encouragement. We pray our book will be a such source.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita Wray, and thank you for reading it and commenting.
DeleteThank you for sharing the author's interview and memoir details, I am looking forward to reading this book
ReplyDeleteHi Bea LaRocca, thank you, and we welcome your feedback, if you have the opportunity. The book has been out less than two months, and we are grateful for the positive feedback, how people are moved by the real life trial and triumphs of Danny Garcia The Walking Man. God Bless You.
DeleteThis sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeletelooks interesting
ReplyDeleteHello Sherry and bn100, we appreciate you kind words. Thanks for reading and commenting. We are still on a learning curver with virtual tours; excited to see how this pans out.
ReplyDeleteNice interview and great excerpt, Marines Don't Cry sounds like a fantastic book for me to read and enjoy! Thanks for sharing it with me and have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello again, Stormy Vixen. I thought I replied to you, but don't see it, so my apologies. We truly appreciate you taking the time to comment. Did you know that on March 18th Danny celebrated his 77th birthday with a trip to Parris Island, SC, 60 years after his own graduation from Boot Camp in 1962. It was an amazing visit with new Marines and their families. Do you have family members who have served in the US Armed Forces?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete