Neel is a full-time Air National Guard officer working out of Springfield for the 178 Fighter Wing as the Security Forces Commander and Anti-terrorism Officer. He was in Saudi Arabia for most of the family holidays in 2008-09, but was able to communicate with his family via phone and computer video visits.
“I have a commitment to help people,” said Neel of his 22-year military career. “I’m in Security Forces, but my main job is anti-terrorism. It sounds funny, but it really involves a lot of research.”
Neel grew up in Bluefield, Va., graduating from Graham High School in 1986. The sports enthusiast, who was on his high school football, basketball and track team, signed papers to join the U.S. Air Force before graduating from high school.
“It’s what I wanted to do,” Neel said.
After high school, Neel was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, for basic training, followed by an assignment in personnel administration at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It was while living in Dayton that he met Debbie through friends.
Debbie Neel grew up in Dayton until she was in the sixth grade, when her parents moved to a 10-acre farm near Jamestown. The new home allowed Debbie to join 4-H and care for several pets, including goats, sheep and steers. An athlete like her husband, Debbie was a member of the track, volleyball and basketball teams at Greeneview High School, where she graduated in 1982. Following graduation, she attended Ohio State University, where she earned a degree in communications.
“I wanted to be on TV, but after I had an internship, I changed my mind,” said Debbie, who decided to work in human resources and worked for Elder-Beerman and Wasserstrom restaurant supply company in Columbus.
The Neels married in 1996 after Tim completed a one-year remote assignment in Greenland. The couple moved to Charleston, S.C., where Tim was stationed at the Citadel while Debbie worked in human resources for Blackbaud, a software developer.
“I remember, we had to evacuate for a hurricane the very first weekend we were there,” said Debbie Neel, whose mother, Betty Russell, lives in Centerville.
Meanwhile, Tim Neel was earning his bachelor’s degree in workforce education from Southern Illinois University and eventually went on to earn a master’s degree in human resources development from Webster University.
The couple moved back to Ohio in 2000 after Tim separated from active duty to pursue a career as a commissioned officer in the National Guard. Debbie worked for a couple of software developers before becoming a full-time mother to Conley, born in 2001, and Davis, who was born in 2004. The couple eventually moved to Bellbrook, because they said they like small communities and were impressed with the quality of the schools.
“I’m proud of him and proud of what he does,” said Debbie, of her husband. “He’s our hero.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
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