Sheila Askey has worked as a secretary in various departments at Bexhill Hospital for 26 years and currently works in the Health Centre.
Harriet Chapman has worked for the Bexhill Hospital League of Friends as chairman of its social committee for many years.
She is organiser of more than 60 volunteers who run the hospital coffee shops and teas at the annual Hospital Garden Party.
The pair arrived at Westminster Abbey last Wednesday fully of anticipation, armed with their invitation cards.
Sheila writes: "... there was a real buzz of excitement as people realised the service was to be attended by Royalty.
"People were so friendly, swapping stories and asking which part of the country we had travelled from and not only were there staff and volunteers but many patients, young and old, some on crutches or in wheelchairs.
"After passing through airport-style security we entered the magnificent abbey and were shown to our seats.
"After taking in the ambience of the surroundings and music we all stood to receive HRH Prince Charles.
"The service was also attended by the Prime Minster Gordon Brown, the Health Secretary Alan Johnson, David Nicholson, Chief Executive of the NHS and Professor Lord Darzi together with other top dignitaries and VIPs.
"After the choir sang, the original radio broadcast by Nye Bevan on the introduction of the NHS was played and there were several readings by patients and staff and several reflections on life in the NHS in 1948 together with the medical advances and achievements through the years as well as heart rendering stories by patients whose lives were saved by the NHS."
All who had taken part were presented to the Prince of Wales at the end of the service.
Sheila says: "After the service, we were all invited to the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre where we were given a photographic review of work within the NHS and a commemorative badge.
"We were treated to a fabulous afternoon cream tea and were addressed by Ann Keen, Health Minister, and Alan Johnson and were entertained by a wonderful performance by the soprano Lesley Garrett, who herself is married to a GP.
"We mingled with so many interesting people that day, one elderly lady telling us she had qualified as a nurse in 1947, a year before the NHS was introduced. On leaving we were presented with a colour brochure containing the history of the NHS through the last 60 decades.
"This was a truly memorable day and it was a pleasure to be nominated to represent not only Hastings and Rother Primary Care TRust but the NHS.
"What is interesting to note is that Bexhill Hospital had been open for 15 years prior to the introduction of the NHS yet it is difficult to imagine life now without free healthcare."