MOULTRIE — Mose McLoyd Kinsey was born in Norman Park but with the help of the U.S. Army he’s traveled the world, earned a college degree and came home to serve in the county he grew up in.

Kinsey recounts his experiences in “A Hero’s Journey,” to be published April 7 by Xlibris.

“The book brought forth the memories of a difficult early childhood …” Kinsey wrote to The Observer. “A childhood that was filled with love and togetherness as a family but with few resources for celebrations.”

He attended Doerun Elementary and Norman Park High School, and he wrote about the schools’ integration in his book.

“The fact that the transition from an all-black school two hours away to a school just a few blocks away from [my] home and there was no angry mob at the school entrance, showed [me] that all people’s actions and reactions on integration were not the same,” he told The Observer.

Kinsey said he often tells people that joining the Army was the best decision he ever made and staying was second. He served in South Korea, generally stationed just a few miles from the Demilitarized Zone where the two Koreas meet. After a tour stateside, he was sent to Panama, where his unit helped guard the Panama Canal Zone locks.

While in Panama, his unit was dispatched to recover the bodies from the People’s Temple massacre in Jonestown, Guyana.

While in service, he earned a college degree.

His book talks about how tough it was to raise a family on a young soldier’s wages, having to pull other soldiers’ duty or pawn something to put food on the table the last three days of the month.

The book describes his successes as a drill sergeant and his philosophy as a parent. All five of his sons served in the military, a fact in which he takes great pride.

Kinsey left the military due to a family tragedy. After returning to Colquitt County, he served as Magistrate Court judge from 2001 to 2005 and left that job to become human resources director at National Beef, where he still works. Those aren’t discussed in the book, Kinsey said, because he plans a second book to reflect on his time after military service.

“Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, ages and male or female,” Kinsey said in reference to the book’s title. The label is usually applied to soldiers who show bravery on the battlefield or to police or firefighters who save lives.

“The word ‘hero’ is a very complex term and it has evolved over time,” Kinsey said. “A hero can be someone whom inspires others to do a common good for themselves and others in their communities. One that sets high standards for himself or herself. Someone whose deeds and accomplishments are worthy of praise by others.”