Please join your fellow Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors this month in recognizing and celebrating our brave servicemen and women for National Military Appreciation Month. Congress des- ignated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show its appreciation for troops past and present. Each year, the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in our country’s history and development.
May is also a time to celebrate and show gratitude to the women and mothers who have been mentors and caregivers in our lives. This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Rebekah D’Angelo-Hewes, a Retired United States Air Force Veteran and dedicated mom to her daughter, Jaycee.
Rebekah was born and raised in Havertown where she lived with her parents, her brother and three sisters. She was actively involved in sports and played field hockey and softball. Rebekah graduated from Haverford High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force.
“I remember that late into my senior year of high school, barely having the time to fill out the paper college applications, and honestly, I hadn’t mailed a single one in,” Rebekah said. “I knew at some point my parents would figure it out, so on my way home from Senior Week, I stopped at the 69th Street military recruitment center and enlisted in the Air Force.”
Rebekah said that her family’s reaction was mixed. “My late grandfather and my father were both military veterans, so my dad was excited, but my mom, brother and sisters, not so much,” she recounted. They had mixed feelings. “The younger two did not want me to leave home. I will admit that I was definitely homesick for the first several months of training, but I always wrote letters, and they sent a LOT of packages wherever I was stationed.”
It was December 1994, and Rebekah was in Basic Military Training (BMT) for the U.S. Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, known as the Gateway to the Air Force. The base trains approximately 35,000 recruits each year in the fundamentals of being an Airman. This includes military discipline, drills and ceremonies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and a comprehensive range of subjects are studied and mastered relating to Air Force life.
After basic training, Rebekah served as a Secure Communications Equipment Maintainer, installing and maintaining secure communications equipment for air and ground support of the B-1 Lancer Bomber, a supersonic variable-sweep wing heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force.
“I realized during basic training and through my first deployment that I was where I was meant to be,” she explained. “During the first few years of my career, I needed the guidance, leadership and discipline that the Air Force provided.”
Rebekah served in that role until 1998, retrained to be a medic and was assigned to an Aerospace Medical Squadron, where she later was promoted to Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Medical Operations for special operational duty personnel. By this point, Rebekah felt that her role and her purpose in the military had evolved into a mutual respect and need for each other. “They relied on me for my expertise, as well as continued to invest in my training and my college education. This investment in training allowed me to assist in some advanced medical situations while deployed in 2003 and 2005.”
It was now 2007, and Rebekah was married, living in Ephrata, PA and learned that she was expecting a baby. “I gave birth to my son, Thomas prematurely in 2008,” she said. “Thomas’ life was spent in the NICU at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA when he passed away at just 28 days old from complications due to an infection.”
Rebekah said that losing Thomas was a turning point for her personally and professionally. She wanted to be closer to her family, so she bought a home in Newtown Square. “I was working as a medic and was responsible for ensuring that my team of airmen was physically and mentally healthy enough to be mission-ready,” Rebekah explained. “That position really challenged me because I was grieving the loss of my son and needed to be sure I was taking care of my own well-being.”
It was a time of change for Rebekah, in 2009, she was selected for a three-year term in the position of First Sergeant (First Shirt). Upon completion of the First Sergeant Academy, she was assigned as the advisor to the Commander of the Medical Squadron, where her role was to advise commanders on the readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life of Airmen. “Pulling from my own personal and military experiences, and working with other senior enlisted personnel, we were able to ensure a mission-ready force.” In 2010, she welcomed her daughter, Jaycee to the world.
In 2013, Rebekah was selected and appointed as the Superintendent of Intelligence Operations in support of the Attack Squadron, MQ-9 Reaper Operations. Shortly after being assigned, Rebekah was promoted to E-8, Senior Master Sergeant. This position was the “full circle” of her career. Rebekah said that with her military training, “I was able to experience many facets of military operations from all different sides. It was so rewarding to continue to utilize the conglomeration of training I had experienced over the previous several years.”
Rebekah retired from the Air Force in June 2017 and spent the next four years as an Operations Manager for a private-sector engineering firm working in underground infrastructure. These days, she is the Business Manager for D’Angelo Plumbing & Heating, Inc., a fourth-generation family business started in 1919 by Rebekah’s great-grandfather.
“I wear a lot of different hats, payroll, invoicing, receiving, ordering, plus a supply house run form time to time. I’ve always had diverse roles in my career and I love every minute of it.” Rebekah laughed when she said her most important role though, is keeping caramel macchiato creamer stocked in the office refrigerator for her “retired” father.
These days, Rebekah said that life is “super busy and fun” for her and her daughter. Jaycee is now 14 years old and will graduate from Ss Colman-John Neumann this spring. Jaycee loves archery, volleyball and plays on a lacrosse team coached by Rebekah. In addition to sports, Jaycee loves all genres of music, enjoys all mediums of art and studies world history.
“My absolute favorite thing to do is spend time with Jaycee,” Rebekah said. She is fun, strong-willed, witty and has the kindest heart I have ever known.” However, Rebekah did add that Jaycee loves to play pranks on her! “She knows how to gross me out or drive me crazy, and she does it well! We always end up in hysterical laughter.” When they’re not at home listening to music, taking in the beautiful sunsets from their deck “on the Pike” or playing with their Sharpei-Puggle mix, Mya, they love to hit the road. “We love to spend time with family and friends down the shore, but this
summer, the two of us are going to take the first of many road trips,” Rebekah explained. “We’re going to head south so Jaycee can finally realize her dream of visiting Buc-ee’s, the iconic rest stop, gas station, souvenir shop and restaurant all in one, then to Iowa to check out the Ragbrai Ride, followed by a tour of South Dakota where I was stationed for some time.”
When asked if Rebekah had any special message to share with our friends and neighbors she said, “Everyone needs teammates in the game of life, as there are very few things in life that one accomplishes completely independently of others. Focus on seeing the strengths in each one of your teammates, and value what you learn from them.”
On behalf of your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, we thank you, Rebekah, for sharing your story and for your steadfast commitment to serving and protecting our nation. A strong military relies not only on your dedication but also on the support of strong families who share your mission. Thank you to all who serve and all who love those who serve. We wish you a Happy Mother’s Day and with you both safe travels during your upcoming adventures!
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for
upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.