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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1993                   TAG: 9301060306
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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THE MENU IS POLITICALLY INCORRECT

I HAVE BEEN reading with great interest about the big Montgomery County controversy. You know the one - winter and spring break vs. Christmas and Easter holiday.

I've had my own opinions, not voiced, until I read Grace Moorman's letter (Dec. 28). She wrote that Christians' insisting that families of other faiths celebrate Christmas and Easter shows a "lack of respect." I'm here to inform her that she doesn't know the whole story. How's this for lack of respect?

At the end of November, the county's school menus for December were distributed. On the day of Dec. 24 was written "Happy Hanukkah" and a picture of the star of David. Was the word "Christmas" on the calendar? No! Just a "Happy Holidays" and a picture of a decorated tree.

I've also seen banners in the schools that say Happy Hanukkah with candelabra and star.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind my children learning about other cultures, but Hanukkah is a Jewish religious celebration, just as Christmas is a Christian celebration of Christ's birth. I feel that if the school system can be so bold and specific as to say Happy Hanukkah on the menu, it should at least have the fairness to put Christmas on the menu and on the calendar. DONNA FORKNER BLACKSBURG

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