When Mike Paros retired just before Christmas of last year here, he had a prevailing thought on his mind, "You do not appreciate freedom until you lose it."

That thought has been part of Paros for almost all of his 82 years. And he has shared it with military and civilian coworkers for 61 years.

"When I was seven-months-old, my mother, sister and I went to Greece," he said. "Before my father could complete the paperwork to get us back, World War II had stated and we were stuck there under German occupation for three years. I know first-hand what freedom is all about."

Although vaguely remembering his time in Greece under Nazi occupation, those thoughts of being denied rights and freedoms through family stories were always at the forefront of his memories. Those memories stayed with Paros even after the war was over and he returned to grow up in Charleston, West Virginia.

Because he wanted to protect the freedoms he now enjoyed in America following World War II, he felt he needed to give something back. He decided to give back by joining the Navy in 1954 and serving his country.

He ended up serving in the Navy for 31 years, mostly on the East Coast from Washington, D.C., Norfolk, and shore and sea commands in Florida. He also completed a tour of duty in Naples Italy. He retired as a master chief yeoman from Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Corry Station, Florida, April 1, 1985, the 92nd anniversary of the Navy chief petty officer rate.

Following his retirement from Navy active duty ranks, he immediately began his next 30-year career as a Government Service (GS) worker at various commands around the Pensacola area. Since 2003 Paros had been the Seaman-To-Admiral (STA-21) Selections Coordinator for Officer Development (OD) of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC).

"I quality controlled all applications, requested age waivers from community managers, reviewed program authorizations and recommended numerous changes for the program," he said.

The STA-21 commissioning program provides a passageway for qualified enlisted Sailors to receive a college education and a commission in the U.S. Navy.

"I got great self-satisfaction in knowing I helped those that never had the opportunity of getting an education and then being able to watch them succeed in life," Paros said.

In a letter read at his retirement luncheon Dec. 18, Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans, commander of NSTC, thanked Paros for his service to the country.

"Your commitment to our Sailors, both while in uniform and after your enlisted service, is the hallmark of a distinguished career that includes a myriad of successful military tours and civil service jobs that you can surely be proud of, said Evans.

"After learning of your accomplishments and contributions to our Navy, it was clear to me that your success over the years derives from an unselfish pride in everything that you do and a determination to make a difference within our organization and, most importantly, for our Sailors in the fleet that you served."

Paros said his military and civilian retirements were basically the same because he said in the jobs he held he provided a service to Sailors on active duty and to future Navy officers.

"I feel great because I served my country with honor and pride," he said.

To those that have worked with him over the years, his service starts with a deep rooted and undeniable love for the Navy.

"I first worked with Mike Paros as a young lieutenant in 2003, said Cmdr. Doug Johnson, NSTC Navy ROTC unit operations officer at OD in Pensacola.

"At first glance, you see this big guy who on the surface looks intimidating and beyond reproach. However, I don't think I have ever met a person who cares more about Navy Sailors than he did. I would submit that this stems primarily from his experience and background as a Navy master chief but most importantly it is from his deep rooted and undeniable love for the Navy."

Johnson called the STA-21 program Paros' baby.

"He believed whole heartily in the principles of the program and in helping young Sailors achieve their goals," said Johnson. "Throughout the years, I was fortunate enough to get to know Mike on a personal level and I can assure you that he is a prime example of a great family man and the quality of people we have in our civil service. I will miss Mike, his upbringing, his life's experiences and his devotion to the Navy. They all make me very proud to have served with him."

Cathy Kempf, retired U.S. Navy commander and currently in charge of NSTC OD's Navy ROTC and STA-21 Selection and Placement Department, called Paros a true gem.

"His concern for the Sailor has been evident from his daily counseling efforts with Sailors across the fleet," Kempf said. "He continuously worked with officer community managers to get the most accurate program, eligibility and application information on the website and out to the fleet. He is a firm believer in taking care of the Sailor and their families."

Kempf added Paros tirelessly reviewed application packages to provide rapid feedback to Sailors, allowing the Sailor to update or correct any errors or omissions and thus provide the selection board with the best application possible.

"He has served over 60 years in the Navy, in a variety of positions," she said. "Mike will be a great loss for the STA-21 program and the U.S. Navy. I am extremely proud to call him a friend."

Paros said he plans on staying in Pensacola with his wife of 52 years, the former Mary Ellen Sallee. They have three daughters, Lisa Renee Bebba, Cheri Lynn Bishop and Stacy Michel Paros. They also have a granddaughter, Taylor Page Bishop, who is currently attending Pensacola State College.

"Yes, we are staying in Pensacola," Paros said. "I was first stationed in Pensacola in 1958, returned in 1969 and again in 1982. But my wife and I do plan to travel and I'm going to devote a lot of time in the gym. I really enjoy working out."

And of course, he said, he will offer his services to anyone who needs them and continue to appreciate the freedoms he has today.

NSTC oversees 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, as well as the Navy's Citizenship Development program. NSTC also includes Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Navy's only boot camp also at Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy ROTC program at more than 160 colleges and universities, Officer Training Command (OTC) Newport, Rhode Island, and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

For more information about NSTC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/, the NSTC Facebook pages https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining/ or www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.