This week marked the 5th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  As many people still question our role and successes in the War in Iraq, many also paused to remember the nearly 4,000 men and women killed in combat since 2003.  But there are also more than 400,000 veterans nationwide who return home from war with mental rather than physical scars.  The long-term consequences of their emotional injuries can have debilitating effects on the rest of their lives. 

Right here in the Bay area, one woman is working to use her voice to get their needs addressed.  On Friday, I sat down with Miss Florida, Kylie Williams, to talk about the road to healing for our soldiers.  Since being crowned last June, Kylie has traveled across the state, county, and even to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, promoting her platform Realistic Support for the Troops.

Kylie believes everyone can make a difference in the lives of veterans in need.  She feels it is truly about people rather than politics.  Cards from children, care packages, and simple well wishes can brighten the day of a soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

For more information on Realistic Support for the Troops, visit http://www.realisticsupport.org.

The 2008 Miss Florida Scholarship Program will be held July 2-5, 2008 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.  For tickets and information, visit http://www.missflorida.org.  The Miss Florida Scholarship Organization is an affiliate of the Miss America Organization, the world’s largest provider of scholarship money for young women.