Shame.

I entitle today's blog post with a simple word I'm sure, or hope that, everyone is thinking right now; shame. You are ashamed. Even I am ashamed. There are very few of you who have the right to say you are not ashamed, and to those who do, I thank you for being a part of life. For the rest of us, we have a different story.

I left school at 3:40 PM on Thursday afternoon to a four day weekend. My first thought was "Yes! Four day weekend!" I should have known better. I didn't even know Memorial Day was today until yesterday. How dare I ignore the issue I press the most? I press that fighting for freedom is right, but I don't even respect the people fighting for what I believe in.

Shame.

Memorial Day isn't about getting a day off of work and playing video games or going to parties or going to a concert. There is no "Happy Memorial Day." It's about remembering those, both living or dead, who have served the United States of America's armed forces who protect our rights every day, whether or not they're serving at the time.

Shame.

Although my childhood innocence is fleeting, that is no excuse to enjoy the day today. It is no excuse to play Command And Conquer 3 non-stop for the entire morning and to surf the internet in the afternoon. It is no excuse to completely ignore Memorial Day. The fact that I'm writing this article so late in the day defines the title.

Shame.

The people who plan to serve, are serving, and have served are, most likely, the only reason you're alive right now. The families and friends who kept the soldiers going are the ones the armed forces thank for making every day a gift to them. The people who support the armed forces do not compare. They do not compare. They do not compare to those who know what it's like to be on the frontline, in the Middle East or at home.

I am ashamed to call myself an American and act the way I have described. It even shames me to write a blog like this. It's time to turn around.