RUSKIN, Fla. — Thursday marks the 82nd anniversary of the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it as a "date that will live in infamy," with more than 2,400 people killed in that attack.

Veterans across the country and in Tampa Bay will be holding a day of remembrance in honor of those who died that day.

At a ceremony planned in Ruskin, veteran Charles Bonney will be honoring his mother and those who died during the Pearl Harbor attacks at the VFW Post 6287 in Ruskin at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

Bonney uses the term, "exceptional" when describing his mother’s character and the work she did as an army nurse while stationed at Pearl Harbor. His mother played a critical role in preserving lives following the attack.

“She was there during the attacks,” Bonney said. “She wanted to help people all her life and that’s why she went into nursing.”

Bonney followed in his mother’s footsteps of service and joined the Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War.

“People don’t know today what it was like back in the early days. It needs to be brought out that America is not free,” Bonney said.

Joining him will be Vern Wick, who, at 17, enlisted and served during World War II.

“It was depression time,” Wick said. “When that day happened, I had to go to the corner and pick the old man up a paper. It said, ‘War.’”

He kept a photo of his ship to share his story with future servicemen. Wick says these stories are crucial at a time when the armed forces are struggling to attract new recruits.

Bonney and Wick continue their service by ensuring others don’t forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.