“In pursuit of STEADFAST HEALING for COMBAT VETERANS, we go where other organizations CAN NOT.”
~ Capt. Malvin WALKER, DDAY Veteran
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For than two decades, TGGF has been steadfastly dedicated to safeguarding the stories of our nation's veterans, exhibiting an unyielding devotion to honoring the legacy of those who served.
YEARS OF SERVICE
OUR PURPOSE
The primary objective of our mission is to support combat veterans facing substantial psychological, emotional, and cognitive repercussions from their military service through the implementation of battlefield repatriation programs.
“The battlefield repatriation programs significantly contribute to the mental rehabilitation of injured veterans.”
~ Timothy DAVIS, Founder
Return to Normandy, France a powerful tribute to the Heroes of World War II. (30-mins)
Combat veterans revisit the battlefields of Vietnam (30 mins)
American Veterans visit Russia, promoting peace through reconciliation. (30-mins)
Honoring the memory of our fallen heroes in North Africa. (30 mins)
"Returning to the battlefields instills in us a sense of moral fortitude that allows us to express our sorrow for the lives that were lost."
~ Steve MELNIKOFF, Ambassador
IN MEMORIAM
GREG MELIKIAN, born in 1924 in New York City, was the son of Armenian immigrants who escaped the 1915 genocide. His father served in the U.S. Army during World War I, while his mother was a refugee in Syria and Bulgaria. Melikian served from 1943 to 1946 as a skilled radio operator. In 1945, he was on the staff of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who tasked him with sending the unconditional surrender of Germany. Eisenhower gifted the original copy to the soldier. Greg held the position of global patron of TGGF for twelve years. Greg died peacefully at the age of 100.
IN MEMORIAM
DONALD COBB, a veteran of World War II, rendered his service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Murphy during the pivotal Normandy invasion. He was born in 1925 in Evansville, IN, where he pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering followed by a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Evansville. He concluded his tenure at Whirlpool Corporation in 1983, having dedicated 33 years to the organization. Cobb held the esteemed position of Patron for TGGF for a decade. Donald Cobb reached the remarkable age of 99.
IN MEMORIAM
JOE SCIDA, a native of Pennsylvania born in 1925, enlisted in the United States Military in 1943, serving as a Coxswain during the pivotal Normandy D-Day assault. He facilitated the transportation and subsequent disembarkation of soldiers from the First Division onto Omaha Beach. Scida experienced an overwhelming sense of fatigue amidst the chaos of the battlefield. Ultimately, he was repatriated to England, where he assumed the position of a postal clerk. Scida had consistently demonstrated unwavering support for TGGF over an impressive span of fourteen years. Joe Scida was 98.
IN MEMORIAM
LUCKY McGINTY, was born in Philadelphia in 1923, received training in Texas and Colorado in order to become a waist-gunner in the B-17 aircraft. He eventually served in the military, seeing serious action in Europe. During the time that he served in the 95th Bomb Group, he courageously carried out a total of 29 bombing missions across Germany and Poland. Four of those missions specifically targeted Berlin. Through his role as a Founding Patron of TGGF, McGinty dedicated a total of 22 years of his life. It was a remarkable achievement for Lucky McGinty to reach 100 years old.
IN MEMORIAM
MICKEY GANITCH, a Pennsylvania native born in 1919, enlisted in the United States Military. In the fall of 1940, all men over 21 years of age had to register for the draft. Mickey became a “draft dodger” as he enlisted in the Navy on 21 January 1941. The USS Pennsylvania football team faced the USS Arizona team at 1:00 p.m. on December 7, 1941, for the fleet championship. It was to be the “Super Bowl” of the Navy. Mickey stayed on the "Pennsy" throughout the war, serving in 11 great naval battles, up to and including the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in September of 1946. During the Korean War, Mickey served aboard the USS Mt. Katmai, an ammunition supply ship, from 1948 to 1954. Mickey served as global ambassador for TGGF for seventeen years. He was 102.
"The Vietnam War has left a lasting impact on both the Vietnamese populace and the veterans who participated, causing physical and psychological damage. Both combat soldiers and the Vietnamese people are now seeking reconciliation and peace."
~ James HACKETT, Ambassador
