I was stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y., as part of the 10th Mountain Division. I was in Alpha Company 2/22 Infantry.

I'm now the vice president of technology at 1st Financial Federal Credit Union. After spending a few years in the infantry, on long deployments and often very far away from home, I learned a few things:

• I really wanted a desk job when I got out.
• Serving my country and helping bring peace to war-torn communities across the globe showed me the impact of heartfelt service.
• No act of kindness is too big or too small.
• Be a good person.

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