2 minute read

Lone Survivor, Luttrell, to share inspiring message with auto dealers

June 5, 2024

In June 2005 in war-torn Afghanistan, Marcus Luttrell and his team of Navy SEALs went on a mission to find a Taliban leader.

After a brutal gun battle against enemy forces, the Texan was the Lone Survivor from his team to return.

The decorated Navy SEAL, best-selling author and podcast host will share his story of perseverance with independent car dealers at the NIADA Convention and Expo in June. Luttrell, whose story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster Lone Survivor, will be the keynote speaker at the largest convention for the used car industry at 4:30 p.m. June 18 at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Luttrell, 48, will share the training he endured to become a SEAL and his story of survival while honoring the memory of his fallen brothers. He captures how they exemplified the philosophy of SEALS.

“I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.”

Growing up near Houston, Luttrell was drawn to military service at a young age, training alongside his twin brother, Morgan, who is now a U.S. Representative (R-Texas).

Luttrell enlisted in the Navy in 1999 and two years later graduated as a SEAL.

In the summer of 2005, he joined fellow SEALs Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson during Operation Red Wings, a mission to kill or capture Ahmad Shah. The SEALs came under heavy gunfire, with all but Luttrell being killed in action. A Chinook helicopter sent in to rescue the SEALs was shot down, killing the entire crew aboard.

An injured Luttrell walked and crawled seven miles before finding shelter among an Afghan tribe, who protected him for nearly a week before he was rescued by American forces.

After recovering from his injuries, he served one more tour before retiring. He was awarded the Navy Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service.

Luttrell paid tribute to the fallen heroes of Operation Red Wings in his New York Times best-selling book Lone Survivor released in 2007. In 2014, Mark Wahlberg depicted Luttrell on the silver screen in the movie based on the book, Lone Survivor.

Luttrell has written a follow-up book, Service: A Navy SEAL at War. Today, he hosts the Team Never Quit podcast with his wife Melanie, featuring guests who have overcome impossible odds and inspire others.

During his emotional account of courage, sacrifice, honor and patriotism, Luttrell hopes to inspire independent auto dealers to never quit.

NIADA Author

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) is among the nation’s largest trade associations, representing the used motor vehicle industry comprised of some 40,000 licensed used car dealers. Since 1946, NIADA has represented the voice and interests of used car dealers at the federal level in Washington D.C. Coupled with its state association network across the country, NIADA’s grass-roots framework provides a dual layer of advocacy unmatched in the used motor vehicle industry. For 75 years, NIADA has engineered programs and leveraged technology to fulfill its mission to advance, educate and promote the independent used car dealer. NIADA members subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics of duty, honor and integrity, and believe in the advancement of small business in support of the free-market system. More information about NIADA, visit www.niada.com.