Photo courtesy Marcus Luttrell

Marcus Luttrell lives in the Magnolia area with his wife, two children and dog, Rigby.

Marcus Luttrell, former Navy SEAL and author of the bestselling book "Lone Survivor," has devoted much of his life to the U.S. military—a devotion that persists even in retirement through his work to help heal combat veterans upon their return home.

Luttrell was born and raised in Texas and—along with his twin brother Morgan—began training for the SEALs when he was 14 under the tutelage of former U.S. Army soldier Billy Shelton who lived nearby. Luttrell attended Sam Houston State University before joining the U.S. Navy in 1999. He graduated SEAL training in 2001 and served in Iraq before being deployed to Afghanistan with SEAL Team 10 in 2005.

On June 28, 2005, SEAL Team 10—made up of Luttrell, Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson—went on a mission in the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan to gather intelligence on Ahmad Shah, a high-ranking Taliban official. The mission, known as Operation Redwing, quickly went awry as the team was discovered and then ambushed. The ambush claimed the lives of everyone except Luttrell, including 16 soldiers whose helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade during an attempt to rescue the SEALs.

After recovering from serious wounds sustained in Operation Redwing, Luttrell completed one more tour in Iraq before being medically retired in 2007. He then penned his bestselling book where he describes the harrowing details of the operation and his survival, and pays tribute to his brothers in arms who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that June day in Afghanistan. Luttrell was also involved in the making of the 2013 film "Lone Survivor," which is based on his account.

When he retired from the Navy, Luttrell returned home to his ranch in Texas where he spent his time recovering post combat in the company of loved ones. Using his firsthand experience of what is needed to heal from the scars of war, Luttrell established the Lone Survivor Foundation in 2010. The foundation is dedicated to honoring and remembering American soldiers by providing educational resources, rehabilitation, recovery and wellness opportunities to veterans and their families. The foundation's mission is to empower and renew hope for wounded soldiers and their families through health, wellness and therapeutic support.

"When I was healing up after Operation Redwing, I spent a lot of time outside with nature in Texas with my family," Luttrell said. "The process was so much better than being held up in a sterile hospital without my family around. So we started the foundation with the hopes that other people could heal in a similar way. It is not just about the veteran, but we bring in their families to heal as well."

Luttrell said the foundation is dedicated to helping the men and women who have served their country, and is an organization filled with people who love are passionate and focused on serving the greater good.

"We incorporate many different types of therapy so that the families can connect and learn to be a unit again," Luttrell said. "Seeing and hearing the positive results of these men and women is the most satisfying part [about running the foundation]."

Between his work with the foundation and numerous speaking engagements, Luttrell keeps a busy schedule. However, he is also a committed family man and spends his free time with his family and enjoying the finer things in life.

"I enjoy spending time at home with my family and hunting," he said. "I spend as much time with my family as I can and keeping our ranch in good shape. I do some speaking and have spent some time helping with the movie, but my family is everything to me."

Luttrell and his wife, Melanie, have a son Axe, who is named after Axelson, and a daughter, Addie. The Luttrell family moved to a ranch in the Magnolia area about three years ago for the small-town feel and the seclusion the trees provide. Luttrell said he enjoys getting to know the first responders and being able to raise his children in a place where they can gain an understanding of what a good community looks like.

Luttrell has been chosen by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce to lead the 2014 Tomball Holiday Parade as its grand marshal on Nov. 22.

"I am looking forward to spending the day with the community and having my family by my side," Luttrell said. "I know our kids are going to love [the parade]."