Sacrifice: The Essence of Character

It is through sacrifice, the act of delaying or denying self-gratification for the good of others, that our character gets tested and refined. Many Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and preserve our freedom.

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. August Sacker, Jr. joined the Marines when he was 22 years old. He always wanted to be a marine and was inspired to join by two other marines in his neighborhood. After previously quitting school, August went back to earn his diploma so he could meet the education requirements of the marines.

Lt. Sacker was killed June 15, 1944 on the first day of The Battle in Saipan, one week after his 31st birthday. Six months prior to being killed, he was wounded in the Pacific theater of operations and received the Purple Heart. After his convalescence, he requested being deployed to the European theater but was sent back to the Pacific where he was killed.

I learned about Lt. Sacker from one of my current neighbors, Marie, his surviving sister.

U.S. Marine August Sacker is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey, 10 miles east of Camden. Visiting the graves and remembering with honor the many Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country reminds us of the enduring value of character.

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Beverly National Cemetery Site

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