Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph D Augustine
Honoring a Fallen Marine in His Home Town
Rep. Garrett honors the life and sacrifice of Waldwick native
Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine on the House floor.
On March 27, 2012, the United States of America and the state of New Jersey lost a great Marine, a beloved son, a loyal brother and dedicated friend when Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine was killed in action in the Helmand province of Afghanistan serving the country he loved. A 2001 Waldwick High School graduate and New Jersey native, Joseph gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and he will never be forgotten.
To honor the memory of this brave young man, I have introduced legislation to re-name the United States Post Office building located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, NJ the “Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine Post Office Building.” This tribute will act as a reminder to Waldwick residents and visitors alike of the life Joseph led and his legacy as an American hero.
Staff Sergeant D’Augustine was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group out of Camp Lejune and was a specialist trained to dismantle bombs and land mines. His dedication and focus on the job protected and saved the lives of countless men and women in uniform by fearlessly going out before the rest and literally clearing the way. Joseph was on his fourth tour of duty overseas and his second in Afghanistan when he was killed, just two weeks before he was scheduled to return home.
Beyond his professional life, Joseph was a high school athlete, a sports fan and, by all accounts, a person you just wanted to be around. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and other outdoor activities and even helped his father start a youth wrestling program in his home town. There is no greater evidence of how well liked he was than the outpouring of support from friends, family and the thousands of people who lined the streets of Waldwick to remember Joseph and pay their final respects.
Joseph was proud to wear his uniform and fight for his country; he achieved his lifelong dream of joining the United States Marine Corps the very day after he graduated high school. At Joseph’s funeral, fellow soldier Eddie Thompson, who served with D’Augustine in Iraq in 2004, said, “I trusted him with my life.” There is no more honorable thing that can be said about a person.
Words cannot describe the gratitude our community and our country has for Joseph’s commitment to protect his fellow Marines and American freedom. On behalf of New Jersey’s 5th District and the Waldwick community, I will see that the Waldwick post office is re-named to honor this young man and remember his final sacrifice forever. May we never forget Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine’s selflessness in the line of duty and the family and friends he left behind.
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
