It has been my experience that most people misunderstand the true meaning of sacrifice.

I'm not here referring to the sacrifices of religious rituals.

Instead, the meaning I'm concerned with is that of giving up something of value for something of a lesser value. 

Thus, when a soldier falls on a grenade to save his fellows, he is not making a sacrifice.

This is because he values the lives of his friends more than his own.

This is noble and should not be mischaracterized as a sacrifice.