John Sakmann Memorial Fund for his Daughters

John Sakmann always put others before himself. In life and love, in military service or at work, he always made it a point to consider how the other person felt. If he was in pain, he wouldn't show it because he didn't want to put that pain on anyone else. He absorbed it all and he took all the hits. 

John was a hilarious, loving & thoughtful person. He always put his family, friends & even complete strangers first. On September 11, 2001, while others were running for safety, he ran downtown towards the danger and spent the day helping where he could at Ground Zero. Seeing that he could make a difference, his first thought after 9/11 was to join the military. John served in the US military, he was an Army Ranger Medic from 2002 through 2006.  He rose to the rank of Sergeant, but was known as “Doc” to his battle brothers.  He served 2 tours of duty, one in Afghanistan “ Operation Enduring Freedom” and one in Iraq “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. Even after his service, he volunteered to help in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, where used his medical training from the military to give back to those he knew desperately needed help at the time.  He wanted to use his training and medical knowledge for more than war. John also excelled as an electrician for the United Nations after his service to his country.

John was challenged and injured, both mentally and physically, in ways no living soul should have to be. John took it all in stride, he persevered and excelled. He never wanted to admit the ways these things had affected him, because he didn't want to put that pressure on anyone else. He also didn't fully understand the long-term effects these experiences would have on him. Military men and women are taught to be strong and not let anything get to them.

He was so proud in everything he did, proud in the fact that he could make a living and provide for his family. John was a beautiful human being, and tried his best to be the greatest husband he could be to Jessica and an incredible father to his amazing daughters. Unfortunately, he was tormented by demons, between PTSD, bipolar disorder & a traumatic brain injury while in service, he did not have an easy life. Even after being diagnosed, he went above and beyond to make sure those around him did not have to deal with his pain. He held it inside. When the Veterans Association finally came around to the fact that he was 100% disabled from the effects of his action in service, he was happy it was finally being acknowledged, and he would be receiving the much-needed benefits for his family. Even then, he was too proud to accept that he was damaged enough to receive these benefits. John wanted to earn his keep and work for a living, he was at his proudest when he felt useful. John felt guilt that there were many others who may have been affected worse than him and that those people were not receiving the help they need. John thought he would lose his benefits, because he felt he didn't deserve them. He did deserve them, and everyone around him told him so. He was so proud, and so damaged, that he couldn't see this. Rather than have his family suffer financially, he over-thought things to the point where he was in a manic state and he did what he thought would be the best thing for them. Even in death, he put his family first. 

John felt defined by his work and service but he was so much more than that. He was a loving son to our mother Carol and father Doug. He was hilarious and so thoughtful and well-spoken. He never wanted to say the wrong thing. He always was there for you, and knew when it was time to be serious, or when it was time to goof off. He loved horror movies, wrestling & heavy metal, but was also the sweetest man when it came to his kids and family. He had such a good balance in life but internally he struggled. You would never know it unless you really pushed him to talk about it and even then he just shrugged it off as something he just had to deal with himself. He never wanted to put the stress he was dealing with on anyone else.

As his brother, I was honored to help him put together his military service journal over the last year for the VA, not only to finally be able to try and help him but to understand a small fraction of the pain he suffered on a daily basis. It is unbelievable to me that he is gone, and we will never truly understand what went through his mind in those final hours. But knowing his journey of life through and after the military, and the effects it had on him, there is some slight comfort knowing that he is free of his pain. 

People have been asking what they can do to help and in John's honor contributions can be made to help his family and to go towards his two young daughters’ college funds. You can either donate through this GoFundMe Page or make donations directly to the family.

RLTW - RANGERS LEAD THE WAY

John Sakmann's obituary and funeral service information:
https://www.thomasfdaltonfuneralhomes.com/tributes/John-Sakmann

Sadly, John has joined the painful ranks of the 17-22 military veterans who leave us DAILY and way too soon because of their unseen battle scars every day in this country. The mental battle that soldiers have to face after service is real and the men and women who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today are still not being cared for the way they deserve. This is so much more serious than you imagine. Please do not judge what you do not know or understand. Instead, educate yourself and help out however you can. Organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, Mission 22 and Stop Soldier Suicide are there to help veterans and their families cope and understand this sad reality. 

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER FOR OUR VETERANS. 

Do not judge John for the way he died, but remember the exemplary human being he was. Check-in on the people you love and let them know what they mean to you. Reach out to those you think may be hurting, it's even more important in these trying times.