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War & football: the famed 36th Division won a war, then won ballgames

The Reverend Phil Neighbors will miss the OU-Texas game on Saturday. Been a Sooner fan all his life, but Neighbors won’t even get to watch it on television.

He’s needed elsewhere.

Neighbors is the senior pastor of the Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California. He arrived in California 35 years ago and has built a great church, but he remains an Oklahoman. Still comes back often to visit family and cheer on the Sooners.

He’s also a historian, which is why Neighbors this weekend will be in France.

On Sunday, Neighbors will be the guest speaker at the centennial celebration of the Battle of Saint Etienne-A-Arnes.