CLEVELAND — Marcus Luttrell, a.k.a. the "Lone Survivor" and subject of a Mark Wahlberg film about a famous military skirmish he survived, spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention Monday night.
After a brief introduction from former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Luttrell appeared in support of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, and spoke from his heart about the need for the country to support veterans.
"We have to make sure the hell the veterans come home from is not the hell they come back to," Luttrell told the audience.
The wounded veteran expressed throughout his speech how grateful he was to have served his country, and said that it is important to have a strong military going forward.
Luttrell also invoked the spirit of the All Lives Matter movement when he ditched his teleprompter and discussed how "in order for any life to matter, we all have to matter."
"To the next generation, your war is here, you don't have to find it," Luttrell told the crowd after admitting he had ditched his prepared remarks from the teleprompter.
"Who among you will love something more than you love yourself? I challenge all of you to fight for this country and each and every one of us."
One part of Luttrell's speech has already begun to resonate with people on social media in both a positive and negative way. Luttrell noted, "The world outside our border is a scary place, America is the light … she'll always be worth fighting for." It was a phrase that many took to heart.
America IS the light.
— Glenn Banton, Sr (@CommanderBanton) July 19, 2016
America Is The Light & It Was My Greatest Honor To Fight For Her" Marcus Luttrell
— Leah (@LeahR77) July 19, 2016
No Sir.. THANK YOU #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/5k6ZsiUSup
Luttrell nearly broke down in tears as he ended his speech.
"I wanted to come up here and thank every one of you for allowing me to serve for 20 years, and I swear to God I'll spend the next 20 paying you back," Luttrell said.
Cox Media Group
