Politically correct greetings appall parent My daughter is in the fifth grade, and she was told by her friend who is on the Student Council that all the children will be making cards to send overseas to our servicemen and women. I think this is a wonderful and very thoughtful idea. However she was told they will not be allowed to draw a Christmas tree or write “Merry Christmas,” just “Happy Holidays.” Our family happens to celebrate Christmas — we have Christmas lights, a Christmas tree and presents. I find it absolutely appalling to have someone tell a 10-year-old that they cannot wish someone a Merry Christmas. I personally feel that whether the person receiving this card celebrates Christmas or not is irrelevant — aren’t we all taught, it’s the thought that counts? The fact that these children are taking the time to think about our servicemen and women and how they feel being away from their families should be the issue, not whether they want to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, etc. Our children are taught not to give into peer pressure — to be who they are, to say no to drugs and bullies — but here we are taking away their rights to freedom of speech and expression; now, who’s the bully? What message are we sending to our children? We teach our children to be respectful of other people’s customs and religions, yet my daughter cannot say Merry Christmas. There are no longer Christmas parties at school — they are labeled as a holiday party. And now people are trying to change the name of the Christmas tree to a holiday tree — I don’t know of any other religion that celebrates a holiday with a tree that is decorated with lights and ornaments. Everyone knows it’s a Christmas tree, and I believe the White House has 17. I feel the person or persons who make these decisions should be ashamed of themselves, and to realize that we are all different, and that is what makes this country such a wonderful place to live. The men and women who are fighting to keep us safe and to protect our freedoms are not doing it to be politically correct, they are doing it out of the love for their country. I really don’t believe getting a card from a 10-year-old saying Merry Christmas will stop any one of them from fighting, so that each and everyone of us can celebrate whatever holiday we choose. I would like to wish each and every serviceman and woman a safe return home, because that’s what really matters. Suzanne Pallas Matawan