On this Memorial Day, when we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms, it’s hard not to reflect on how far removed some young people—and perhaps their parents—have drifted from understanding the weight of that sacrifice.

Just a few days ago, on the night of May 22nd, a group of what has been reported to be high school students—masked, emboldened, and disturbingly detached from any sense of accountability—vandalized Reno High School. This wasn’t petty mischief or a harmless prank. It was destruction laced with hateful language and symbols. Damage to property, to community trust, and to the values we claim to instill in our youth.