Their Stories: Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Spirit at Delaware State University

DSU Affiliation: Administrator
Military Connection: Veteran family member employed or enrolled at DSU
Military Rank: Staff Sergeant
Affiliation to Service Member: Daughter

In honor of Veterans Day, we recognize Retired Staff Sergeant Albert Lee Ewing from Bartlett, Texas, who served honorably in the United States Marine Corps. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he fought in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. After 20 years in the Corps, Staff Sergeant Ewing continued to serve his country as a Quality Associate Specialist with the Department of Defense, dedicating 60 years in total. Proud father of Kamesia Ewing-House, AVP of Strategic Enrollment Management, he reflects on his service: “Although I experienced racial tensions during my early years in the military, I would do it all over again. Semper Fi, I love my country.”

DSU Affiliation: Staff
Military Connection: Veteran employed at DSU
Military Rank: Petty Officer First Class
Service Location: San Diego and Hawaii

My Story: I grew up in a small rural town in Maryland. I loved reading and developed a strong curiosity about life outside of my hometown. I joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and graduated from boot camp one week before my 18th birthday. And then my adventure began. My first duty station was in Meridian, MS, where I attended school to become a Personnelman, which is basically the equivalent of the job I have now in Human Resources. Once I finished there, I was off to meet my first ship which was docked in the Philippines. This was significant because it was the first naval ship that had female crew members. As you can imagine, it was quite the experience at a time where “political correctness” did not exist. Through my 20 years of service, I was stationed on three ships and four shore assignments; and had three career fields: personnel, electrician and career counselor. I also had the privilege of traveling to many places – Australia, Guam, Hawaii, Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Thailand, etc. to name a few of the countries visited. I spent the majority of my military career in San Diego, CA, and was blessed to retire at the tender age of 37.

How does the DSU motto “It All Matters” resonate with your military experience or family story? I learned many things during my 20-year journey in the Navy. Honor, courage, friendship, teamwork, hard work, unselfishness, fortitude, tolerance, and loyalty are just a few of the traits that I came to value while serving. Still in my heart the most important thing I learned was that the United States of America, with all its flaws, is still the greatest country in the world. As an American patriot and military veteran, I am equally proud to have become part of the Delaware State University family because this institution encompasses and represents everything my brothers and sisters in arms fight for each and every day.

DSU Affiliation: Student
Military Connection: Veteran student at DSU
Military Rank: SPC
Service Location: 485th CBRN Battalion

My Story: I joined the U.S. Army Reserves at 17, driven by a deep commitment to service and a desire to make a difference beyond my local community. Serving in the military has allowed me to contribute to meaningful causes on a global scale, an experience that has strengthened my dedication to helping others. As the youngest of four siblings, I also carry the responsibility of caring for my mother, who battles dementia. My journey as a pre-dental student is motivated by the goal of building a stable future, both to provide for her and to make an impact in healthcare. The resilience I’ve developed in the military empowers me every step of the way on this path.

How does the DSU motto "It All Matters" resonate with your military experience or family story?   The Delaware State University motto, “It All Matters,” resonates deeply with my military experience and family story. In the military, I learned that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger mission -- a value that has shaped how I approach my responsibilities at home and in my studies. Caring for my mother requires patience, strength, and empathy, qualities I’ve also developed through my service. Balancing my duties as a student on the pre-dental track with the demands of military life and family reminds me that every effort, every sacrifice, truly matters in the pursuit of a meaningful life and future.

DSU Affiliation: Student
Military Connection: Veteran student at DSU
Military Rank: Second Class Petty Officer
Service Location: NAS Oceana, NAS Coronado, Pearl Harbor

My Story: I proudly served in the US Navy from 2008-2016 as an Avionics Technician, both active duty and reserves, continuing my family’s tradition of military service. Both my mother (Army) and father (Air Force) served, as did my maternal and paternal grandfathers. Stationed at NAS Coronado and NAS Oceana, I was attached to the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson, with the honor of participating in RIMPAC 2012 in Pearl Harbor, HI. I received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for my work on rescue relief efforts for US aircraft during Operation Tomodachi following the 2011 earthquake in Japan. My dedication earned me a meritorious promotion to Second Class. My current doctoral studies and research focus on veteran student success in education, inspired by my own journey transitioning from military to higher education.

How does the DSU motto “It All Matters” resonate with your military experience or family story? The DSU motto, “It All Matters”, resonates deeply with my life, shaped by a family legacy of service. Raised by veteran parents, I absorbed small but powerful life lessons from how I present myself to the importance of supporting those around me. These values carried into my Navy service, where I took pride in maintaining aircraft for critical mission readiness during Operation Tomodachi. I led a recovery mission that returned millions in equipment to the fleet. My parents’ lessons in camaraderie became my commitment to looking out for fellow sailors, especially in times of need. Today, the same attention to detail and sense of purpose guides my research, as each action becomes part of a greater mission to support veterans in their educational journeys. 

DSU Affiliation: Faculty
Military Connection: Veteran employed at DSU
Military Rank: Private
Service Location: Ft. Sam Houston 

My Story:I joined the ARMY when I was 19 years old. The experience changed me and made me the person that I am today. One of my favorite quotes is “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”  – Nelson Mandela, former first President of South Africa and anti-Apartheid leader.

How does the DSU motto "It All Matters" resonate with your military experience or family story?  “What truly matters to me is focusing on people. I believe we should start and end with them. Our diverse backgrounds, both in life and work, shape our interactions. I bring my whole self to work, and this is reflected in my leadership, adaptability, and resilience.”

DSU Affiliation: Staff
Military Connection: Veteran family member
Military Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Affiliation to Service Member: Daughter

My Story: My father, James Mosley, joined the Vietnam War as a young teenager. When I was nine, he was serving as the first Black police officer in the Dover Police Department. At that time, he decided to make use of the G.I. Bill to further his education and enrolled at Delaware State College, where he eventually earned his master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in leadership.

Shortly after graduation, he chose to reenlist in the Army, which led us from our home in Dover to North Carolina, where he began leadership training. My father’s dedication to service allowed our family to travel across numerous states and even to other countries. Though my mother wasn’t enlisted, she served in her own way, managing our family through more than 20 moves with three children in tow. Their unwavering commitment to this country later inspired my siblings and others to serve as well. Today, I am deeply grateful for their sacrifices, and as an adult, I truly understand the impact they had on my life. I have immense appreciation and respect for all those who serve.

How does the DSU motto “It All Matters” resonate with your military experience or family story?  ”It All Matters” truly resonates with me because achieving success, both in the small moments and the big victories, requires all of us working together. The military understands the importance of leaving no one behind and looking out for our fellow men and women who serve beside us. No matter your title or role, every contribution counts—IT ALL MATTERS!

DSU Affiliation: Student
Military Connection: Veteran student enrolled at DSU
Military Rank: Senior Master Sergeant, USAF
Service Location: Texas, Guam, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Mississippi, Washington DC 

My Story: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, several Air Force Overseas Ribbons, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm, she provided crucial administrative and staff support to the Base Commander. Shortly after retiring from her role with the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she served as primary support staff for General Colin Powell, Kim relocated to Delaware as an empty nester, ready for new challenges. Driven by her lifelong aspiration to be a social worker, she embarked on her new path; she took an entry-level position with the state to build a fulfilling career in social work. Kim has a deep-rooted passion for community service. She earned the key to the city of Biloxi, Mississippi, in recognition of her volunteer efforts, and her commitment to service continues in Delaware. She has recently completed the New Castle County Citizen's Police Academy and is an active volunteer with the Wilmington Police, participating in weekly community outreach walks. Kim is a true leader in every role she undertakes and an inspiring example of dedication and resilience.

How does the DSU motto "It All Matters" resonate with your military experience or family story? A transformative journey started on a friend’s dare. Reassignments upset our family to settle in strange places, temporary duty separated us,& fighting a war, petrified us all. The military instilled values that continue to flow in our family & weave the fabric of our story, creating a tapestry of resilience, adaptability, & firm commitment to one another. Each challenge, a pillar of our story. We developed adaptability & cultural awareness through frequent moves & goodbyes. The experiences inform their unique ability to embrace change & diversity. The Air Force emphasizes integrity, service before self,& excellence. These values influence how we face challenges & celebrate successes. The pride, the sense of duty,& the sacrifices have created a lasting legacy that embodies DSU's motto, It All Matters