ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — It was a “day that will live in infamy.” So said President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the attacks of Pearl Harbor that propelled the United States into World War II.

On Wednesday, the George P. Thames Senior Center honored all veterans, particularly those who served during World War II at its December meeting held at the PZK Civic Center in Robertsdale. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month and the December meeting fell on the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks.

In the early-morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes conducted a surprise attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sinking four battleships and causing damage to four others, sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer.

The attacks also destroyed 188 U.S. aircraft, killing 2,402 Americans and wounding 1,282 others. The attacks stood as the worst single attack on American soil by a foreign enemy until the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The next day, President Roosevelt, in his now famous speech, declared war on Japan. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, which was reciprocated on the same day.

According to Dr. Barry Booth with Honor Flight, who gave a presentation at Wednesday’s meeting, 16 million Americans served during World War II, including 200,000 under the age of 18. Of those, 400,000 were killed in action, 1.3 million wounded.

Today, a boy of 18 on the day of the Pearl Harbor attacks is now 88 years old. World War II veterans are dying at a rate of nearly 1,000 per day nationwide.

Later this year, the local Honor Flight will conduct its seventh trip to visit the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. Since the first flight from Mobile in 2009, 562 World War II veterans have participated in the local Honor Flights, Booth said. The group is currently processing 200 applications from veterans, and 500 applications from guardians.

The cost of each flight is $75,000 with $55,000 paid for through donations, $20,000 paid for by guardians, he said. In addition to the World War II memorial, participants also visit the Korean Veterans memorial, the Vietnam War memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial to Iwo Jima, ending at Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans witness the changing of the guard and a select few are chosen to participate in a ceremony at the cemetery.

Seven World War II veterans were honored at the meeting on Wednesday, including James L. “Buster” White, John A. “Jack” Duncan, Richard Howser, Allen Oglesby, William Phillips, Bob Laarman and Edward Plouse. A total of 15 veterans from all wars, including Mayor Charles Murphy, were honored on Wednesday.

The event also included music by Bob Jennings and Bob Loughrige. Debbie Trotti led in the singing of the National Anthem and God Bless America.

December’s meeting also included a birthday bash honoring those with birthdays and anniversaries in December. Cake and ice cream were provided by Covenant Hospice.