Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/456364
as an engagement gift. No matter where he is in the world, to keep him grounded it's always set to California time. This man takes the word "service" very seri- ously. "When you're in these kinds of jobs, peo- ple focus on the big things you accomplish," Secretary Panetta says. "But the ability to help people who otherwise wouldn't have a chance is a really impor tant par t of the job, be it a lost Social Security check or needing help with immigration papers. These are people who would be lost in the shuffle if someone wasn't paying attention. Both Sylvia and I felt that was a big par t of the job of being in Congress. It's not just passing legislation to create the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It's helping individuals." Recently, Secretary Panetta published a book, "Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace" (2014, Penguin Press). Written with Los Angeles Times editor-at-large Jim Newton, the book pulls back the curtain on Washington machinations and offers sometimes-harsh, always fair criticisms of the Obama administra- tion. It's also about the extraordinary life this Monterey native son has led. "In the end, this book is really the American story," he says. "It's about the American Dream. The title says it all: dreams are just dreams unless you are willing to fight for them, to get things done. I've found these fights to be worthy. That's the story of my life. In almost every job I've had, I've had the chance to fundamentally change people," Secretary Panetta muses. Now that he's put Washington life in the rearview mirror, can a man as dynamic as this find happiness on a wal- nut farm in sleepy Carmel Valley? "I'm not one to sit in a rocking chair. I'm enjoying being home and working with Sylvia at the Panetta Institute. I'm also doing a lot of speaking both here and abroad and consulting in Washington and New York while serving on several boards. It's a full life." A full life indeed. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 139 1 Loans subject to credit and collateral approval. Financing available for collateral located in CA, OR, or WA. Restrictions may apply. Terms and conditions subject to change. 2 With an interest-only mortgage payment, you will not pay down the loan's principal balance during the interest-only period. Once the interest-only period ends, your payments will increase to pay back the principal and interest. Rates are subject to increase over the life of the loan. Contact your mortgage consultant to determine what your payments might be once the interest-only period ends. 3 Certain terms and conditions may apply, including minimum credit score and reserve requirements, and may impact the amount that can be borrowed. Consult your Union Bank mortgage consultant for details. April Robbert VP, Sr. Mortgage Consultant NMLS ID #384061 1400 Munras Avenue Monterey, CA 93940 831-234-2088 cell april.robbert@unionbank.com Choose a mortgage to match When it comes to larger loans, your options can be limited. At Union Bank®, we broaden your choices and offer our most competitive rates on larger home loans. 1 Whether you're buying or refinancing, we make our best options available to you: • Interest-Only Payment Option 2 • Portfolio Lender • Loan amounts up to $5MM 3 • Variety of Loan Programs Get personalized service and great rates! You found your dream home ©2014 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Visit us at unionbank.com Through those years, as he was rubbing shoulders with the most powerful people on the planet, Secretary Panetta never lost sight of what was most important to him: his family, his hometown and serving his fellow citizens.