I was Jewish. It saved me many times.”

Weiss fought for her freedom from her war-torn homeland of Hungary to the United States. Every step of her journey, she fought for survival and a new life. At one point, she had to be smuggled through the Alps into Italy where she would eventually gain access to a ship bound for America – holding false Christian papers.

“America was the Promised Land,” Weiss said. “I was very young and I (knew I) had to get to America.”

The Statue of Liberty beckons people with the words inscribed on the tablet she holds: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. These words rang true for Weiss and many other survivors who eventually sought safe haven in theCorps cadets attended an expo hosted by Team Little Rock on April 20 at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. Amongst the crowd of teenagers stood a young man with a different story.

Outwardly, Braedyn Durant looked no different than the cadets and carried himself with the same pride. One noticeable difference, was the small group he was with. He was accompanied by his mentor from Second Chance Youth Ranch and a Department of Human Services representative, while the cadets were escorted by their cadre and accompanied by numerous other cadets.

Braedyn’s group was small because he is currently in the state foster care system. That doesn’t stop him from dreaming, and he does hope to find a safe, stable home someday.

When one of his mentors asked where he’d like