During his last mission on active duty in Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014, United States Marine Corps Gunnery Seargent Hugh Tychsen served as an embedded advisor with the Afghan Army in the Helmand providence in Afghanistan. In this role, Tychsen assisted the Afghan Army in their efforts to implement democracy in Helmand against the wishes of the Taliban, who valued the area due to its fertile farmland. Tychsen was assigned an interpreter, Haseeb Ahmadi.
Throughout their time working together, their bond became that of brotherhood. Tychsen recounted, "There were multiple times in which I feel like Haseeb saved my life. He had been injured before working with the Marines. He could have stopped, but he didn't. We forged a friendship in adversity."
Towards the end of his tour in 2014, Tychsen became aware of a program in which he could recommend Ahmadi for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) which would allow Ahmadi to relocate to America should the U.S. army pull out of Afghanistan. Tychsen provided a letter of recommendation for Ahmadi's SIV application in 2014. After a three-year wait, Ahmadi and his family relocated to St. Louis. Today, Tychsen has provided recommendations for 86 SIVs, with hundreds more to come.
Tychsen's story inspired Olivier and Anne-Chantal Amice to create the Gateway to Freedom Scholarship Fund to support the children and grandchildren of individuals like Ahmadi, immigrants who worked alongside the U.S. military and escaped the Taliban.
The Gateway to Freedom Scholarship Fund is a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation.