Readers' views: Remembering Bob Knight, Veterans Day and Rep. Carson's call for cease-fire

Here's what community members had to say in four recent letters to the editor we received. Submit your own thoughts here.

Remembering Bob Knight: His donation of books to Raymond Park Middle School

A Bobby Knight memory: His quiet contributions to Indiana kids.

As an eighth grade English teacher at Raymond Park Middle School in Warren Township the year the school opened, I was compelled to make an effort to add to a sparse library. Thought.

I asked my students to write letters to many influential people in Indiana asking for donations, including Gene Keady and Bob Knight. Some sent money, but Bob Knight sent a box full of his own personal books. They were labeled as gifts from Bobby Knight and are somewhere in that school library.

Deborah Bova

Indianapolis

The bombing must stop. Thank you to Rep. Andre Carson for calling for a cease-fire

I am tremendously grateful for Rep. Andre Carson's leadership and courage in signing H.R. 786 calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. In the last month since Israel began its attack on Gaza, over 10,000 people have died, and over 4,000 of those people are children. This is a massive violation of international law and the human rights of millions of ordinary people who live in the Gaza Strip. Millions of people in Gaza no longer have food and water, as Israel continues to bomb bakeries and hospitals.

As a citizen of Indiana and the United States, I am alarmed and furious that my tax dollars are paying for bombs dropped on innocent people. I refuse to vote in the next election for representatives who endorsed these ongoing acts of violence done by the Israeli government, and I hope more of our leadership follows Rep. Carson's lead.

As a sociologist, I'm deeply aware that collective action is how change can occur. Calling our representatives and participating in demonstrations of our support for the Palestinian people makes a huge difference. Thank you Rep. Carson for your courage, and may we all follow your lead.

Hannah Evans

Fishers

As Gaza sees over 10,000 Palestinian lives lost, Rep. Andre Carson's support to end bloodshed is commendable

I am writing to express my strong support for Rep. Andre Carson and his remarkable courage in endorsing a humanitarian stance regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. I commend him for signing on to H.R. 786, which calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, a region that has seen the loss of over 10,000 lives, with over a third of them being innocent children. The human toll on both sides is heart-wrenching, but the disproportionate loss of life among innocent civilians is nothing short of unconscionable.

As a proud Jew, I believe it is essential to speak out against the violence and suffering that continues to plague the Gaza Strip. While the loss of 1,400 Israeli lives and the taking of 240 hostages are unconscionable, the brutal retaliation that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinians is equally unacceptable. We must recognize that the loss of any life, regardless of nationality or religion, is a tragedy that should never be overlooked.

Rep. Carson's unwavering support for H.R. 786 sends a powerful message that calls for an immediate end to the bloodshed. I applaud his steadfast commitment to a peaceful solution and his call for a cease-fire that would save lives and provide hope for a better future for the people of Gaza.

It is essential that more politicians follow the example set by Carson and take a firm stand for a just and lasting resolution to this conflict. Humanity transcends political boundaries.

I urge our community and our nation to rally behind Carson and support his efforts to bring about a cease-fire in Gaza. It is only through diplomacy, dialogue and a commitment to a peaceful resolution that we can hope to end the suffering and achieve peace.

Thank you, Rep. Carson, for your dedication to this critical cause. I encourage all of our elected officials to join in your courageous stance and work tirelessly toward peace and reconciliation in this troubled region.

Susan Birndorf

Indianapolis

Remember to honor all those who have served this Veterans Day

As an infantry veteran of South Vietnam 1968, I Corp, I wanted to thank all veterans of all military branches and remind us to remember those who gave their lives in all wars, their loved ones who suffered a tremendous loss and those seriously wounded, whose lives were forever, in a split second, changed forever as were their loved ones.

Veterans Day for some of us is another day (as every day of our lives) to remember the brave women and men that died serving this great country. They may not be physically with us, but they are always in our hearts, minds and souls, and they will be until the day we all meet again.

Our duty and, actually honor and privilege, is to remind everyone that for at least some of us, Veterans Day is another day of the year (like the other 364) to remind everyone to please remember all these eloquent, brave and honorable folks that gave everything they had and then a lot more to protect all of us.

Greater love has no man than he who lays down his life for another. Well guys, how many times have we seen just exactly that by men who fought with dignity, honor and bravery and died protecting us all with the same attributes. Until we meet again guys; we have never forgot you and never will. We will always remind folks of the honor you all showed us. God bless and continue to guard over you all your loved ones and the greatest country in the world. Actually and you Vietnam field guys will understand, "It did mean something." We are privileged to know you.

Tim Long

Terre Haute

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Readers thank Andre Carson for his leadership and more