Interview with The Walking Man, Daniel Garcia, and Jacqueline C. Garcia

Today’s spotlight shines on co-authors Daniel Garcia and Jacqueline C. Garcia to chat with me about their memoir, Marines Don’t Cry.

During their virtual book tour, Danny and Jacqueline will be giving away one (1) $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to one (1) randomly chosen winner, and ten (10) randomly chosen winners will each receive a free copy of the e-book. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, visit their other tour stops and enter there, too!

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.

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.

Welcome Danny. Please tell us a little bit about your personal story:
Have you ever been lost — really lost?

Jackie and I 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.

I recount my early life in Spanish Harlem and describe my conversion from a life of drugs and “the fast lane” to one consumed with knowing and serving God. This makes my 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 I found my calling and am delivering the message of Christ at all costs.

 

Excerpt from Marines Don’t Cry:
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.”

 

What do you do when not pleased with yourself and your actions?
When that happens, I don’t allow myself to go into depression or fear. I don’t condemn or judge myself, but what I do is I ask God for help. In the book, I described situations in my personal life where I felt that I was a failure because of the way I was treated. I separated myself from those environments to find a place and a time to heal, to regroup, to start anew. It was a journey of going within myself with God. The negative situations seemed to be destructive, but now I can turn them around and use them for good, good lessons, good experiences. Instead of being fearful and panicky, I learned to not judge and trust God.

Danny, you have travelled the world. Where were you the most and least surprised?
I was the most surprised when I was abducted and taken hostage in Palestine. If you can imagine, I was walking freely through the Middle East, with support and escort from government officials. When I came upon the frenzied, angry, despondent Palestinians, they had no leader, just anger. I could see they were bloodthirsty and seeking for revenge. The look in their eyes took me by surprise; I was shocked, started, and afraid.

Overseas, I am treated like a king and a holy man. It became typical for me to be treated with favor and dignity. Soon I would not be surprised by such honorable treatment. This is God’s favor and how he provides for me, as his child. I have come to have this expectation, so I am not surprised by the kindness of others and the favor of God.

Where were you the most satisfied and successful?
In every country that I visited, including the Middle East, I felt comfortable and successful. They loved me because I loved them. When I walked into Bagdad and the people sang to me as we entered the city… this was one of my proudest moments, walking for the children of Iraq. Not only was I welcomed, but the Olympic athletes of Iraq were also honored and praised.

Where were you the happiest?
I guess I am the happiest when I am around people who love me and accept me as I am. It can be anywhere, and it is not just one specific place. I am happy when I felt God is next to me. I feel happy, content, and at peace. The world can come to an end, but I am not moved by that.

Where were you the most Unhappy? Disappointed?
When people hurt each other, and I have been in those environments all over the world, they lose their minds. Something is missing, and anxiety turns to panic then irrational behavior. I was unhappy when my children not with me, and devastated when they were separated from me without any say-so from me. When I lost everything that was important to me, I turned to God and he gave me the children of the world!

Links:
Book website | Danny’s website | Danny’s Facebook | Jackie’s Facebook | Danny’s Instagram | Jackie’s Instagram | YouTube | BookFunnel | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BooksAMillion | BookShop | IndieBound

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