I joined in 1960 as a B/E and although I cannot claim to personal acquaintance with those at dizzy heights I did have the privilege of serving under some SNCO's and WO's of WW2 vintage. The comments in Chugalug2's post is I think, equally appropriate to them. I also had the privilege of being groundcrew to one Flt. Lt. Abe Lincoln, Kiwi Shack pilot and ex Sunderlands who exemplified all the qualities mentioned in Chug's post.
I also found today's service from Westminster Abbey very moving.