Hampstead woman will compete for Ms. Veteran America

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington native will compete as the North Carolina representative for the Ms. Veteran America title this weekend.

Wilmington native and Hampstead resident Kimberly King served actively on the coast guard for more than 10 years.

“I love it,” King said. “I would do it all over again.”

This weekend King will compete with 24 other women from all branches of the military in Washington DC for the Ms. Veteran America title.

“I am the North Carolina Representative,” King said.

King says the competition is not about her or the title.

“On any given night in the United States there are over 55,000 female veterans that are homeless and over half of those women have children,” King said.

It’s the cause that reeled her into it.

“All of the proceeds will go to Final Salute Inc and homeless women veterans,” King said.

Final Salute Inc is an organization that works to provide homeless female veterans safe and suitable housing.

As far as the talent competition goes, King has chosen to dedicate Mindy McCready’s song “I Am Still Here” to that cause.

“It’s my personal message,” King said. “I am still here. I am still fighting and I’m not going to give up.”

King says the competition is also about representing all of the women who have worn the uniform.

“We’re not just soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen,” King said. “We’re mothers, wives, and daughters. We have not only our careers, but we have our families. So, this competition is honoring those women who wear dual hats.”

Thursday, this mother of eight will pack up her heels, her dress, and her hat to head to Washington DC for the competition. King says the winner of the competition will be the face of Final Salute Inc and the two runners up will be ambassadors for the organization.