lone survivor.

July 24, 2015

we’ve done some really unpredictable and really cool projects through this little junk business. but we’ve never done anything as life changing and profoundly humbling as operation: marcus luttrell’s office.

our mission: we were contacted by marcus luttrell’s wife to do a special undercover op for him. surprisingly, marcus, a new york times best selling author, had no office. no desk. no place to write. well let me rephrase that…he had a room that was meant to be his office but it was currently being used as storage for moving boxes and melanie’s gift wrapping room. andddd although i’m sure marcus appreciated any gifts wrapped in that room, we all decided that his office needed to accomplish it’s original purpose…

a place of peace for marcus. a place where he could focus and write. or read. or just be. we decided it should be a place that could be about the present and the future, a place that reflected ALL of the facets of marcus, not just marcus the Navy Seal. but also, marcus the dad. marcus the husband. marcus the son and brother and friend. marcus the DEVOUT Texan and dedicated American. marcus the writer, the reader, the poet, and the journal keeper. and although it would honor the past, it would not be solely focused on his past.

and i must tell y’all, we extensively prepared for this project. we studied. we pored through his books. his quotes. his movie. and when it came to the 4 days of actual filming, amie and i blubbered and cried through about 75% of the filming. and if you know his story. if you have read his books, watched the movie, and seen any of his interviews then you clearly, understand why. we just feel so honored to know him. we feel so deeply, deeply respectful for what he has been through. we are so moved by him and his story. and everything him and melanie do to this day to honor his fallen brothers.

which means we have never felt pressure like we did for this project. we wanted everything to be perfect. the desk. the decor. the books on the shelves. the rug. the chairs. rigby, his service dog’s bed. it all had to be soulful and special beyond words.

here we are hiding out at an undisclosed location on the way to marcus’ house on install day…killing a little time while melanie shuttled marcus out of the house…the whole JG team was feeling the jitters as undercover ninjas. and the extreme honor of working on such a special project.

 

and here mom, amie, & i are with marcus’ mom who played a big role in this entire undercover op.

fortunately, marcus didn’t go into Navy Seal ninja mode when we came in with a sneak attack of his office…but you’ll have to tune in tonight to see the finished office and his reaction! but i will say…as we all headed back to round top that night, the sun was setting on a very, very special day in all of our hearts. it’s not everyday you get to create a space for an American Hero. and it was a sublime experience to say the least.

one final thought…

this year marks the 10 year anniversary of Operation Redwing. 10 years since murph, axe, danny, kristensen, shane, james, senior, jeff, jacques, taylor, and mac lost their lives in the mountains of Afghanistan.

10 years since Marcus Luttrell was brought home as the lone survivor.

broken and battered but not defeated.

his relentless spirit and infinite dedication has kept alive the memory & the heroic service of so many soldiers.

we have had the profound honor of getting to know Marcus over the past year and we are, forever changed. forever indebted. we know this has been a hard month for all of the families & friends of operation redwing and we can’t even begin to understand their pain but we can say thank you. thank you today & everyday. for our freedom. for our independence. for our America. thank you, Marcus, for being the Lone Survivor. it is because of you that we all know about Operation Redwing. that we know more than just your brothers in battle perished. because without the lone survivor, operation redwing could have been just another news story. but instead, we know murph, danny boy, and axe. we know their families. their fiancées, their kids. their hearts. because of you, we are better Americans.

because you don’t have to be a service man or woman to be inspired by marcus’s story. his story will inspire you no matter who you are. no matter what your struggle.

his motto: NEVER QUIT, will get inside of you and live deep in your soul for the rest of your life.

we’re headed to the Patriot Tour this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited!

let us all thank a service man or woman in honor of the USA, in honor of operation redwing. respect. honor. never forget. #ORW10

team never quit.

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16 Comments

  • Reply Pam bennetts July 24, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    My son is Air Force man and his family is without him often. It’s a sacrificial life for sure. God Bless our military families!

  • Reply Cindy L July 24, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    What a gift it was for you JG’ers to be invited into the world of one of America’s true heroes. I was so touched just reading your post about it, and can only imagine how life-changing the experience was. THANK YOU and the Luttrell Family for allowing us, your loyal fans and followers, to share in it. These opportunities are important touchstones in our lives, where we pause , reflect, and give thanks for the lives we have. I can’t wait to watch the episode, and to see the space you so carefully and thoughtfully crafted just for him.

    We can all do something to help Veterans and Active Service Members and their families –it’s just a matter of finding a way. I recently started knitting lap robes for the Wounded Warriors, and hope that they bring comfort and a sense of connection to the recipients. God bless each and every person who has put everything on the line for us.

  • Reply Cheryl Cox July 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Can’t wait to see the Marcus Luttrell Junk Gypsy office renovation. I am so moved by him and his story and the all the stories of our American service men and women. Now, like never before, we are being tested and now, like never before, we must stand for Liberty & Freedom. Thanks for you sincere words of admiration for our military and country.

  • Reply shirley york July 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    i need to know where i can buy a never out tee shirt…are they for sale

  • Reply shirley york July 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    can i buy a never out tee shirt

  • Reply Lorrie Malcolm July 24, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Chattanooga Tn. Buried our hero Staff Sgt. Wyatt today. We are feeling a kinship with you and your very special project.

  • Reply amber c roberts July 24, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    What and inspiration. God Bless all of our soldiers.

  • Reply Lisa Korba July 24, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    What an honor! I adore Marcus Luttrell, I dont get the channel your show is on, so I never ever gt to watch it or even know where I can find past episodes to watch. Im am so super bummed I will miss tonight especially. God Bless America!

  • Reply Cathy Guess July 25, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    With tears reading your blog, I have to say that this was one of my all time Favorite Junk Gypsy make over show! I remember when I say the movie, and when it was over you could hear a pin drop in the theater…..and needless to say I had the Biggest lump in my throat until getting to the truck where I just broke down…..you see my Dad served over 20yrs. in the Air Force, and as a child growing up it made me realize the sacrifices that he made and how GREAT our Country is! I think that it would change a lot of hearts today if everyone were to see this movie and just what some of our War Hero’s have experienced and sacrificed fighting for our FREEDOM!
    God Bless America…God Bless Texas…and God Bless The Junk Gypsy Gang!

  • Reply mattie July 27, 2015 at 9:41 am

    wow!!! that is a great story for sure .very proud of our men and women in the Armed Forces .I have a nephew in the special unit of the Marines ,so we know how important it is to support them and their families .way to go girls .what awesome opprotunities you guys have been blessed with.

  • Reply Betty Gaylord September 22, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    This episode was not shown here. I auto record your great program, at first I thought I missed up. I searched for future showing, nothing. Did the network pull this episode?

    • Reply Jolie Sikes September 23, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      hmmmm. that’s strange. no, they didn’t pull it…i’m sure they will be re-airing it at some point! they run lots of re-runs!!

  • Reply Tritch B. December 1, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    thank you for all who serve for this Country!!!

  • Reply John Rowe July 27, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Great job ladies

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