An ode to my good friend Cory Carter

Most of you know that I served in the US Army... During my tenure of service, I met thousands of people... Literally. Not one person from that 6+ years of my life stands out quite like Cory. You may have read Jason's Blog about "Gunny G", I am here to say, Cory is all that and more. When I first was assigned to the White House Communications Agency as a newly promoted Specialist, most people's opinion of a 20 year old "kid" was less than desirable... The one person I found to be not only a mentor, but friend I would give my life for was Staff Sergeant Carter. As I in processed at the personnel shop he was one of the first people I was introduced to, and the shocking part was, everyone else there was treating me like a somewhat second class citizen, save Cory. I want to say someone was trying to give me the business, and he quickly came to my defense. Over my 4 years there, it became quite evident that I was not every one's favorite person, and I guess knowing my regs to quickly rebut every ones corrections of me did not help matters... when it came time for me to get promoted, it wasn't the people that I worked with or even for who helped me, It was Cory. Cory worked in a completely different section altogether, and could have very easily told me to get MY leadership to help me... But like a true Non-Commissioned Officer, he gladly took me under his wing, mentoring me in the disciplines necessary to be a successful NCO myself. my time for shining never really came while I was on active duty, it came after that... in civilian life. Most of my characteristics and trademark sayings were developed by or with Cory. I say all that to say this... To my dear friend, a man I look up to, thank you from the bottom of my heart... a man who saw potential in a junior troop and chipped away the rough edges, until I became who I am professionally. granted there was a lot on the behalf of my parents, but that is the responsibility of a parent, when someone who is not in that role assumes it, they become immeasurable in their worth. Cory Carter may never have a fanfare ticker-tape parade in his honor, but I can say the the difference he made in the life of Jonathan Burke will NEVER be forgotten... I hope to one day be that man to someone else.