I am Daniel Garcia. Born in Spanish Harlem, I have served in the US Marine Corps and law enforcement.
Since 1996, by the grace of God, I have walked more than 52,000,000 steps (over 26,000 miles)
around the world on six continents for children and world peace.
I founded Global Walk to instill international understanding, establish goodwill, & build sustainable peace.
I have stopped counting miles — my walks are a means to reach people with the love of God as in
My wife Jackie C. Garcia (Lt Col, USAF, retired) and I work side by side to
inspire hope
share spiritual wisdom
render aid to the needy.
How? Walking, praying, and meeting people where they are and showing them how to walk in the Spirit.
Global Walk is a calling, a movement to spread the love of God.
Danny Garcia is former marine and ordained minister who has walked and prayed for children and world peace on six continents, more than 26,000 miles (greater than the circumference of the earth) for over 23 years. In 1996, Danny Garcia took his first steps as a personal commitment and lifelong pursuit of peace.
Danny Garcia was born in the Spanish Harlem community of New York City, on March 18, 1945. His parents, American-born, are of Cuban ancestry. Danny’s father, Jose Garcia (“Bilingue”) was a highly respected Latin percussionist who played with Xavier Cugat, Machito’s Orchestra, and many other well-known musicians. At the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, Jose Garcia was honored as a pioneer of Latin music in America during the Latin Roots Exhibit. Danny accepted the honor on behalf of his father. His mother Margaret is in her 90’s and is a prayer warrior.
During his early years, Danny lived in each of the five Burroughs of New York. At the age of 17, Danny joined the United States Marine Corps (1962 – 67). He was embarked on a naval vessel during the Cuban Missile crisis, ready to storm the island of Cuba, if ordered. He was then stationed at Guantanamo Bay in 1963. During his first tour in the Marine Corps, he was a wireman, radio operator, Communications Chief, and Prison Supervisor. In 1968, Danny returned to civilian life and worked for Shell Oil Company. He trained under Bud Roberts, his mentor, Art Director and Head of Public Relations. Danny successfully worked at Shell Oil until 1972, when he reenlisted in the Marine Corps.
In 1972, during his second Marine Corps enlistment, he was stationed in Nam Phuong, Thailand. He was a Command Counselor for Alcohol & Drug Abuse and Human Relations Program Instructor. He stopped the use of drugs within the ranks and eliminated racial violence amongst marines. Danny credits his success in the Vietnam theater to the Life Values teachings of Dr. Robert L. Humphrey, author of the Human Relations Program written for the Marines. Danny Garcia took the tools from R. L. Humphrey’s manual and applied the principles as his way of life. Danny was discharged honorably from the Marine Corps in 1975.
From 1975 to 1995, Danny Garcia served in several law enforcement capacities in San Diego, California: Correctional Officer, Metropolitan Correctional Center, Federal Prison; Lieutenant, Burns Security; and Site Commander, Salk Institute. He has also served as the Drug and Alcohol Counselor at NEPSI Narcotics Treatment Program; Drug and Alcohol Counselor at the Methadone Clinic; and Peer Group Counselor at Patrick Henry High School.
From 1978 – 1996, Danny traveled throughout the world, presenting symbols of peace to dignitaries and world leaders on behalf of the Children of Our World Organization. He made numerous presentations, either personally or through intermediaries, to include: UNICEF at the UN; Prime Minister Shamir in Israel; Pope John Paul II in Rome; Princess Anne in England; President of the Olympic Committee in Seoul, Korea; US Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter; Mother Theresa in San Diego, CA; Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Ralph Bunch in NYC; Stevie Wonder; Michael Jackson; Whitney Houston; Redd Fox; Dr. Jonas Salk; Jackie Kennedy Onasis; and Mohammed Ali.
On Dec 7, 1996, he embarked a journey of faith, ministering the love of God by literally praying and walking around the world. Danny’s inaugural walk of 3,500 miles was for the Children of our World and World Peace. He walked the first leg of his journey from San Francisco to Tijuana, then walked the second leg from Alexandria, LA, to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He walked to honor the memory of the innocent children who lost their lives in the bombing and arrived at the one-year anniversary of that tragic event. The final leg of the trek was Miami, FL, to NYC, NY. Dr. Deloise Blakeley, Acting Community Mayor of Harlem, joined Danny, from Harlem to the UN where they were greeted by children from 185 countries.
In 1997, Danny walked from the Mexican/US border to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA, for Super Bowl XXXII Sunday. In his honor, the Mayor of San Diego proclaimed Jan 25, 1998, as Danny Garcia Day.
In 1998, Danny attended a United Nations Peace Summit in NYC for the International Day of Peace, in conjunction with the Season of Nonviolence. Danny traveled to Europe where he continued to walk for children and world peace. His walks took him through European countries such as Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, Albania, and Italy.
The culmination of his four-year walk around the world ended in Sydney, Australia, in September of 2000 in conjunction with the opening of the Olympic Games. Danny invited Bruce Stephen Foster to join him in Sydney at Planet Hollywood to perform the song he co-authored with Richie Sambora, called “One Night of Peace.” The event conveyed a plea for every nation on Earth to honor a 24-hour ceasefire prior to the lighting of the Olympic torch so every child in the world could experience “One Night of Peace.” This song inspired Danny to produce a day-long concert that promoted the UN’s International Day of Peace month-long Celebration.
On November 11, 2000, Danny traveled to Rome, Italy for the closing of the Holy Door at the Vatican in the Millennial Year of Jubilee. Later that month, Danny visited the Philippines for a walk organized jointly by the Red Cross, the National Press Club, and with the support of the Philippine government and Department of Interior. He started walking in Laoag, Llocos Norte, and ended in Manila in December 2000.
In February 2001, Danny promoted the cause of peace in Australia. In June 2001, he traveled to Jordan and walked in the Middle East to raise funds for an Iraqi boy who needed a heart operation. During this time, he was taken hostage in Rafah in the Gaza Strip then released unharmed. After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, Danny returned to the US and visited Ground Zero, where the Twin towers once stood. He was deeply moved with compassion and anguish. On September 1st, 2003, Danny walked from Ground Zero to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, arriving on September 10th. On the morning of September 11th, Danny continued his walk to the Pentagon, where he participated in the memorial ceremony in the chapel of the Pentagon.
During 2005, Danny lived in the Philippines where he walked extensively throughout the country for Children’s Rights and World Peace.
On September 12, 2005, Danny walked 180 miles from the Grafton Peace Pagoda in Albany, NY, to the UN, arriving for UN’s International Day of Peace on September 21, 2005.
In November 2005, after Hurricane Katrina leveled the city of New Orleans, Danny partnered with the New Orleans Mission to help restore the massive destruction. The hurricane severely damaged the mission, rendered the building uninhabitable, and destroyed the goods inside. The mission lost most of its roof. Danny received support from Dare 2 Dream and students at TCI College in NYC, who sponsored Danny’s 33-day, 1200-mile walk to New Orleans. Danny raised awareness of the struggles of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and their need for national support. He raised $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations to rebuild the New Orleans Mission and put a roof over the heads of thousands of people who sought refuge at the mission annually.
In January 2006, Danny formed the non-profit Global Walk Foundation to raise funds and bring awareness to children’s charities, AIDS orphans, and water shortages. He created ways of using his walks for peace to financially benefit causes that sought his support. The organization is now Global Walk Inc.
In July 2007, Danny and his Global Walk team traveled to Africa and visited the countries of South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Southern Sudan. He and his team visited maximum security prisons in South Africa. In Uganda, he and his team ministered and washed the feet of hundreds of churchgoers. In September 2007, he welcomed the Ethiopian Millennium. Because of his humble desire to walk for peace in war-torn Southern Sudan, his persistence and grace inspired the Government of Southern Sudan’s declaration of the International Day of Peace as a national holiday.
In October 2008, Danny walked from Washington, DC, to New York City, where he officially commemorated the completion of 25,000 miles, ending at the Church of St. John the Apostle as they celebrated their 150th Jubilee.
In September 2009, Danny completed a 500-mile walk in New England, raising over $30,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the Barka Foundation, which builds water wells in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest nations in the world. For this feat, Danny was awarded the Shining World Compassion Award from the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association.
In February 2010, Danny conducted a cross-country prayer walk from the capital of the Dominican Republic to the capital of Haiti, finishing in Port Au Prince where on January 12, 2010, a historic Haiti earthquake leveled Haiti to its very foundations. His walk displayed international and spiritual support for Haiti. He prayed for God’s help, salvation, and hope to spring from the ruins.
In October 2010, Danny provided similar words of encouragement to the people of Chile. He walked and presented a symbol of peace for the Chilean miners, their families, and the community, as the world stood vigil until the 33 trapped miners were gloriously rescued from the collapsed mine in Copiapo’. In September 2011, Danny conducted a walk in Costa Rica and was a guest speaker during this country’s Dia de Biblia (Day of the Bible) which coincided with the UN’s International Day of Peace. In March 2012, Danny traveled to and walked in Cuba, his home of ancestry, during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.
In the US, days after the Boston Marathon bombing of April 2013, Danny walked the route of the marathon to honor victims and survivors of that bombing. In July 2014, he walked across the US border at San Diego and into Mexico to visit and pray for US Marine imprisoned at the El Hongo prison.
Danny returned to Africa in March 2015 and walked for peace in Morocco and along the Algerian border. In September 2016 he dedicated a walk in the northeast US to veterans. He returned to Israel in October 2017 and walked and prayed for the peace of Jerusalem during the Municipality’s Annual Jerusalem March, with many nations of the world represented.
For children who perished in US school shootings, Danny walked in Parkland, FL, days after the February 2018 tragedy. He prayed with mourners and those who lost their friends. In March 2019, Danny again walked for veterans, first responders, and their families in Honor Walk 2019. When the fire damaged the Cathedral of Norte Dame in April 2019, Danny walked in Paris, France, and presented the US and Marine Corps flags to the citizens of Paris to show support for French firefighters and first responders.
The main purpose of Danny’s walks is to facilitate, promote, and support the needs of children and their families, which includes engaging in humanitarian aid to victims of fire, poverty, flood, earthquake, or war. Danny inspires hope, shares spiritual wisdom, and renders aid to the needy. He encourages others to do the same while teaching people how to communicate with respect.
He continues to walk and pray globally.
People world-wide request his story in print and in video. The biography of his life, cowritten with his wife and titled “Marines Don’t Cry: Delivering the Message at All Costs” was released December 2021. The book is available wherever books are sold. The book describes Danny’s life, dramatic conversion to Christianity, and more so his personal experiences with the power, miracles, and love of God.
Jackie is the CEO and President of Global Walk Inc., a FL Not for Profit, encompassing the charitable and ministry aspect of their work. Together they also run Danny Garcia Walking Man, LLC., a production company that raises funds for charities.
The Child by Mario Torero
Danny contacted the media/politicians and received a special invitation for a San Diego woman to realize a lifelong dream to meet the Queen. He was invited to the ceremony and met the Queen (Feb 26, 1983)
HSH Prince Albert II (also President of the Monaco Red Cross) sent to Danny a personally signed collectible book, Le Livre D’Or De La Croix-Rouge Monegasque, when Danny completed his walk along the French Riviera and throughout Monaco (2000).
In 1979 Danny presented a reproduction of The Child painting to Prime Minister Shamir in his office in Tel Aviv. The gift was a symbol of peace and hope for the children of Israel.
Danny stopped in Cambria and presented president Nelson Mandela with a Jubilennium candle in conjunction with the UN celebration during his walk from Perth to Sydney, Australia, for the Olympics.
Danny gave a reproduction of The Child painting to Our Lady of Angels Catholic School in San Diego. The painting was then presented to Mother Teresa as a gift for her humanitarian work for the poor.
Danny presented a gift to Ralph Bunche’s foundation to honor his efforts for peace. Relph received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his mediation in Palestine in the 1940’s.
Arafat’s representatives gave a medal to Danny when he walked for Palestinian children. The medal was discovered when Danny was later taken hostage in Rafah; his captors then protected him from harm.
Danny presented Muhammad Ali with a large portrait at the Long Beach Convention Center. The painting titled, “The Arrangement”, by Gabriel Acevedo pictured an Indian man dressed in his native clothing.
Danny provided MJ’s attorneys a 14X48 mural of The Child. With support from Gannett Outdoor Advertising, this mural was displayed on the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Los Angeles.
The mural continued on a tour of peace throughout the world, and Michael Jackson was later presented a replica of The Child for his own collection.
On the day Michael Jackson died, Danny walked in his honor, from 125th St. in Harlem to Ground Zero.
When Whitney Houston was visiting in San Diego, Danny provided a reproduction of The Child to an associate, who presented the gift to Whitney Houston.
While walking in Chicago, Danny stopped and presented his walking stick to one of Oprah’s employees at her TV station. It was a gift for her as a symbol of love for all of those she has touched.
Danny presented a reproduction of the painting The Child to Stevie Wonder with his brother at his side in his dressing room at the San Diego Sports Arena on Dec 8, 1980 (the day John Lennon was killed).
Richie Havens performed at Woodstock for more than 400,000 people. Danny was one of the original promoters of the Woodstock festival. Several years later, Danny presented Richie with a copy of the painting The Child at the Ralph Bunche Park across from the UN.
While in Seoul Korea for the 1988 Summer Olympics, Danny met Pastor Cho (whose church was one of the largest in the world) and presented a reproduction of The Child as a gift to thank Pastor Cho for his service to God.
Danny worked on a security detail to protect Jonas and also presented him a gift to honor his work in developing the polio vaccine.
General Krulak served as Danny’s commanding officer during his time in the Marine Corps.
While walking in Israel, Danny presented the Prime Minister with one of his walking sticks.
Danny presented a symbol of peace Shaklee Corporation CEO (Sep 2019) with May Peace Prevail on Earth, International, Executive Director Fumi Johns Stewart (Sep 2010)
Gen Mattis and Danny met again in May 2018 in Washinton, DC, when Gen Mattis was Secretary of Defense. He recalls Danny walking across Camp Pendleton, when Gen Mattis was the Commanding General. He commented, “Every Marine knows you; you have a PhD in Walking!” Danny and Jackie prayed with Secretary Mattis prior to his historic visit to North Korea.
It is not possible to list and to thank each individual which has been important in this journey. It goes without saying that even an encouraging word or understanding is appreciated.
Of course, number one on the list is my Lord, Jesus Christ, who delivers me through every challenge.
Danny and his wife Jackie with Danny's Mom who is over 90 years old
Danny's Father who played with Xavier Cugat, Machito’s Orchestra, and many other well known musicians.
Bruce Foster, Singer/Composer, Grammy Award Nominee
U.S. Marine Corps – USA and International
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve - USA
U.S. Air Force – San Diego, California
General Charles Krulak (Commandant) – U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC
U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot– San Diego, California
U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton – Oceanside, California
U.S. Marine Corps - Quantico, Virginia
U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility – Arizona
U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot– Paris Island, South Carolina
U.S. Marine Corps – Great Lakes, Illinois
U.S. Army Reserve – Texas
Perth Modern School – Perth, Western Australia
National Press Club of Philippines – Manila, The Philippines
Holiday Inn
Intercontinental Hotels
Saville Park Suites
National Association of Black Veterans – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Royal Marines – Glasgow, Scotland
Perth Modern School – Perth, Western Australia
Richie Sambora – Composer/Musician - New Jersey
U.S. Marines – Red Bank, New Jersey
Lucoral – New York City
Ryan Air Lines
Red Cross International
Red Crescent
KLM
America Suites Hotel
Sheraton Hotels
British Royal Marines – London, England
Marriott Hotel
Clark Air Force Base – Manila, The Philippines
Veterans’ Association of Los Angeles – California
County Board of Supervisors – San Diego, California;
New York City and Bronx, New York
Cardinal Sin – Manila The Philippines / Fr. Robert Reyes
Best Western Inns
Young Marines
Salvation Army
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (6th Motor Transport) – New Jersey
U.S. Marine Corps League – New Jersey and Virginia
UNICEF Headquarters – New York
U.S. Embassies
– Canberra, Australia
– Athens, Greece
– Manila, The Philippines
– Amman, Jordan
– London, England
– Paris, France
– Brussels, Belgium
– The Hague. The Netherlands
– Rome, Italy
– Dublin, Ireland
– Budapest, Hungary
– Geneva, Switzerland
Presentations to Eminent Persons & Organizations:
Either personal or intermediary presentations from Danny Garcia have been made to the following:
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II
HRH Prince Charles, United Kingdom
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, United Kingdom
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
King Hussein of Jordan
Queen Noor of Jordan
HRH Prince Rainier of Monaco
HRH Prince Albert of Monaco
President of the United States, Jimmy Carter
President of the United States, Ronald Reagan
President of the United States, Bill Clinton
President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev
Mr Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Mr Itzhak Shamir, Prime Minister of Israel
Mr Gary, Prime Minister of Grenada
Mother Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Mr Ralph Bunch, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Dr Jonas Salk, Scientist, Salk Institute, San Diego, California and Nobel Prize Winner
Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Major General William Nash, Commanding General, Task Force Eagle, Bosnia
General Charles Krulak, Commandant, US Marine Corps
Ms Diane Watson, US Ambassador to Micronesia
Ambassador Gambari, Nigeria and President, UN Security Council
Ambassador Pickering, US Ambassador to the United Nations
Ambassador Mashat, Housainne, Iraq
Sanford Alexander, Consul General of Grenada to Mexico
Sallybeth Bumbrey, US Consul General, Perth, Western Australia
Senator Margaret Reid, President of the Senate, Australian Federal Parliament
Congressman Wonpot of Guam
Senator Cleveland, US Senator, Atlanta, Georgia
Congressman Jim Bates, San Diego, California
Ben Shalom, President, United Nations Jubillenium Peace Organization
Director of UNICEF, Seoul, Korea
Roberto de Madrid, Governor, Baja, California
Lord Mayor, Belfast, Ireland
Dr Peter Nattrass, Lord Mayor of Perth, Western Australia
Mr Ehud Olmerat, Mayor of Jerusalem, Israel
Mayor Susan Golding, Mayor of San Diego, California
Katie Mair, Mayor of Melville, Western Australia
Councillor Sean Clarke, Omagh, Eire, for bombing victims
Bishop Chavez, Catholic Bishop, San Diego, California
Fr Robert Reyes, ‘The Running Priest’, Manila, The Philippines
Fr Vincent, Mission San Luis Rey, California
Fr Charles Waddell, Perth, Western Australia
Pastor Cho, Korea
President of the Olympic Committee, Seoul, Korea
Commissioner, US Border, San Diego, California
Benny Boret, Producer, Masada – Israel’s 40th Anniversary
Paul Simms, Commissioner, San Diego County Hospitals, San Diego, California
Ted Turner, CNN
Felipe Luciano, Producer, Latin Arts Exhibit, NBC
Veronica Kerr, US Consulate General, Perth, Western Australia
Geoffrey Newman, Micallef Perfumes, France
Jerry Stapp, Entrepreneur, San Diego, California
Johnny Lu, President, Lucoral, New York City
Mohamed Ali, Athlete
Whitney Houston, Entertainer
Stevie Wonder, Entertainer
Michael Jackson, Entertainer
Oprah Winfrey, TV Show Host
Mrs Patrick King, widow of serviceman killed in action, Long Branch, New Jersey
Alberto Socarras, Flautist
Antonio Paralta Perez, Poet
Jose Garcia, Musician (father)
Tito Puente, Musician
Red Foxx, Actor
Richie Haven, Singer
Mario Torero, Artist, San Diego
The Original Ninja Turtles
UNICEF
UN International Year of the Child Committee 1979, New York
Consular Corps from San Diego to United Nations
United States Embassy, London, England
United States Embassy, Rome, Italy
United States Embassy, Budapest, Hungary
United States Embassy, Brussels Belgium
United States Embassy, Geneva, Switzerland
United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland
United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia
United States Embassy, Amman, Jordan
United States Embassy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
United States Embassy, Paris, France
U S Mayors at 59th Annual Mayors’ Conference, San Diego, California
Oceanside City Council, San Diego, California
Missing Children International, San Diego, California
Children of Somalia and Military Forces in Somalia
Curtin University College for Aboriginal Studies, Perth, Western Australia
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School, New York
Penasquitos Lutheran Church, San Diego, California
Saint Augustine Catholic School, San Diego, California
Center Susana School, Los Angeles, California
City of Oklahoma in aftermath of Oklahoma bombing
World Special Olympics, Oklahoma
Iraq Olympic Committee, Baghdad
Schneider Children’s Medical Centre, Israel
Laoag City, The Philippines
Planet Hollywood, Sydney, Australia
Planet Hollywood, Melbourne, Australia
Royal Marines, Glasgow, Scotland
Royal Dutch Marines, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Princess Diana Foundation, London
Save The Children Fund, Connecticut
UN World Peace Prayer Society, New York
National Press Club, Manila, The Philippines
National Red Cross, The Philippines
National Association of Black Veterans, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Handicapped Children of Ilan, Israel
Perth Modern School, Perth, Western Australia
Holiday Inns, USA and International
Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Saville Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Saville Hotel, Canberra, Australia
Saville Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
Saville Hotel, Perth, Australia
Albany Travel Inn, Western Australia
America Suites Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia
Action News Television, Budapest, Hungary
Young Living Essential Oils, Salt Lake City, Utah
Amman – Dead Sea Ultra Marathon Organizers, Jordan
New York Yankees, New York
New York Mets, New York
USS Cole
Naval Weapons Station, Earle, New Jersey
London Records, Los Angeles, California
Police Department, New York City Port Authority, New York
Vietnam Veterans’ Healing Wall, Atlanta, Georgia