Local Veterans

Veterans Day

Veterans Day did not start out as the holiday we celebrate today. It began after the end of fighting during the first World War, as Armistice Day, on November 11, 1918. At this time, Armistice Day was a time of celebration of the end of "the war to end all wars" and a time to show, as President Woodrow Wilson put it, "solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service." While the same ideas still mark the now titled Veterans Day, the next hundred years would change the way and reason in which we celebrate our nation's veterans. We now recognize all veterans, even ones who didn't serve directly in war, because they have all paid a price for the freedoms we enjoy as United States citizens.

Here in Skiatook, we have a long history of military service. The men and women who have fought over the years have done Skiatook, Oklahoma, and even America proud. One such man is Morris Neighbors, a World War II veteran who fought in decisive battles during his service. This is his story…

Morris also had 3 brothers who served simultaneously in the second World War. Carl, who fought in the Marines, Robert, who fought in the Air Force, and Paul, who also served in the Navy, but sadly was killed in action. Robert would later go on to fight in the Korean Conflict as well, but, like his brother, would not make it home.

Morris Neighbors (born in Wildhorse, Oklahoma) was only 16 years old and a senior at Skiatook High School when the United States officially joined World War II. At 17, almost two years later, Neighbors enlisted in the Navy to see the world and serve his country. He served as a radar man on the USS Leutze, a Fletcher class destroyer in the South Pacific theater of war. During his service, Neighbors and his crew fought in many decisive battles, including: Palau, The Night Battle of Surigao Straits, Iwo Jima, Leyte Gulf (the largest naval battle in history), and Okinawa, in which the USS Leutze took a direct hit from a Japanese Kamikaze plane that disabled the ship. Neighbors himself has been awarded a Purple Heart (for injury during the Battle of Okinawa), an American Campaign Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific campaign Medal with 5 battle stars, a World War II Victory medal and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 stars. In 2018, Neighbors was honored by the State of Oklahoma and the City of Enid with the Navy Legacy Award.

Now 99, Morris Neighbors remembered fondly the moments of camaraderie and brotherhood aboard the destroyer. He even described the atmosphere as like a small town just like Skiatook was, where everyone knew everyone and no one was left behind. After the war, the crew even had reunions to keep in touch. Morris is one of the few surviving crew members, and is now the only one able to attend. As a piece of history like WWII continues to fade further from our minds, Morris opts to tell his story to younger generations to remind us all of the sacrifice that our veterans have made to keep America free.

"I think that [Veterans Day] is important because it does remind people that freedom is not free, you know, there has been a price paid for it."

- Morris Neighbors