RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath recognize retirees Published June 5, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Preston Webb 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- The 27th annual Retiree Appreciation Day celebrated past service members' dedication to service and country June 7, 2013, here. The event offered retired U.S. service members from across the U.K.the opportunity to socialize and view new military capabilities. Retirees are an important part of the military community, and many continue to serve the government in a civilian capacity after their time in the military is over. "Between retiring and starting my first government service job, I only got about two weeks off," said Errol Sanders, personnel security manager for the 100th Air Refueling Wing. "I don't feel like I ever left the military." Sanders, a retired chief master sergeant who served 30 years in the Air Force, still lives by the core values taught to him during his enlistment. "Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do -- I think all of those carried over," Sanders said. "Integrity means I'm not going to lie to you, and you aren't going to lie to me. Service Before Self -- I still feel like I'm in the military, and I want to give back, even as a civilian. Excellence in All We Do, to me, means if you're going to dig a ditch then dig the best ditch you can dig; there's no sense in half measures." "People tell me about my military career 'you left that stuff behind,' but no, I didn't," said Michael Krogh, a retired senior master sergeant and first sergeant. Krogh, who has been serving as a security specialist for the 100th ARW for eight years, served 28 years in the Air Force. The annual Retiree Appreciation Day is an opportunity for today's service members to recognize retirees in the U.K., such as Sanders and Krogh, who continue to live by the Air Force core values each and every day. "It means a lot for retirees to have a day that shows appreciation for what they've done," Krogh said.