A Pinellas County man was honored Sunday for 100 years on Earth and tremendous service to his country.
It was far from an ordinary Sunday inside Historic Bethel A.M.E. Church on 3rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg.
The singing and the praying were both part of the regular service. The clapping, the cheering and the standing, however, were all for one man who was celebrating a massive milestone.
"I will always remember this occasion, thank you, thank, thank you," Willie Rogers said to his church.
Rogers celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday in front of his church's congregation, his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Rogers' actual birthday is March 4.
"I think it's a great honor," he said.
And as if 100 years wasn't enough, Rogers is one of the oldest living Tuskegee Airmen — the elite group of African-American military members who served in World War II.
It's a part of Rogers' life that his family just learned about a few years ago.
"Awe-inspiring, I mean, you know, there's no words for it," said Veronica Williams, Rogers' daughter. "I haven't had the opportunity to celebrate him in this way. I'm overwhelmed."
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman took a few minutes during the service to present Rogers with a certificate and a key to city.
"That's such an integral part of our history, so to have the ability to be here to meet someone like this and then to celebrate his 100th birthday is really special," Kriseman said.
Sunday was a day the 100-year-old won't forget anytime soon.
"It surprised me," Rogers said. "It makes me happy. It makes me very happy."
There is no accurate count as to how many Tuskegee Airmen are still living.