Phil Carpenter

I joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 during the Vietnam War after I graduated from high school. I served on ships and in VP squadrons working as a disbursing clerk, which involved processing pay for my fellow sailors. I retired in 1989 after 21 years of service and am very proud of my service.

My military experience taught me the importance of service and being a part of something larger than yourself. This is something that credit unions also exemplify. I’ve been volunteering at Central Maine Federal Credit Union since my wife became the CEO in 1998. The credit union wasn’t making much money back then, so I mowed the lawn, shoveled the snow, served as a courier, and anything else I could do to help the credit union.

► Click here to read more reader submitted stories.