Willie Rogers turns 100 on Wednesday, March 4. In anticipation of his reaching this important milestone, his St. Petersburg Bethel A.M.E. Church family turned out on Sunday to celebrate his birthday, and to honor him as one of the oldest living members of the elite team of African-American military men known as the Tuskegee Airmen who served during World War II.
It was very special day for everyone.
“I will always remember this occasion,” he told the church after being presented with a key to the city by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, who said that it was an honor to be present and to meet someone who was “such an integral part of our history.”
Rogers was deeply impacted by the celebration. “I’m really surprised. It makes me very happy,” he said.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said to a church-wide outburst of applause.
