Cory overcame the odds

My Favourite Person of 2007 Award goes to an orphaned aboriginal kid from Keswick.
It was, indeed, a privilege to meet career soldier Pte. Cory Wallace.
Unlike most, Pte. Wallace, tries to make sense out of it all.
I met Cory just days before he was deployed to Afghanistan. His aboriginal heritage explained his haunting good looks, while the story of his upbringing reminded me people can beat the odds, pull ahead of the pack and exceed beyond anyone's expectations.
"Pick your friends wisely," is Cory's advice to young people.
Cory was born addicted to heroin. His mother, an addict, was not able to care for him and when, at 43 years old, she died in a crack house, it was a very sad time for his family, Cory says.
Drug addict or not, she was still his mother.
While Cory was practising self-preservation and respect for others, somewhere along the way he had room for empathy — a trait paramount to becoming a good person.
During our two hours together, Cory acknowledged he didn't make it all by himself — friends, family and teachers helped him along the way. While Cory moved a lot, he somehow stayed grounded.
While I do not support Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan, I was touched by this young man's level of caring.
When Cory's 38-member military unit left Canada in June, his personal goal was to help the women in Afghanistan achieve equality. Unlike many, Cory went to war with a purpose.
Cory is quick to point out women of Afghanistan are often forbidden to go to school or leave the house without a male escort, while some can't even seek medical attention from a male doctor.
Now back home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cory is spending part of the holiday with family in the Keswick area. While very proud, the family is relieved Cory is back home safe and sound.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to never forget Pte. Cory Wallace.