Delta, Best Defense Foundation return to Normandy for fifth year as America celebrates its 250th

Delta, Best Defense Foundation return to Normandy for fifth year as America celebrates its 250th

Delta proudly continues its Normandy Legacy Flight, a program that brings World War II veterans and students back to Normandy, France, on June 3 to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

This June, Delta is proud to continue its Normandy Legacy Flight, a program that carries World War II veterans to Normandy, France to pay tribute to the anniversary of the D-Day landings, honoring these legendary heroes and preserving their stories for generations to come. This year's return holds even deeper meaning not only as their living memories guide us toward the countdown to America's 250th anniversary, but also because a selection of students - from the U.S. and around the world - will once again travel alongside the veterans, helping to carry their legacy forward.

Delta and Best Defense Foundation (BDF), in partnership with Michelin, will journey to Normandy with 25 WWII veterans for the fifth year in a row. The veterans will be accompanied by caregivers, many of whom are Delta employees and veterans themselves, as well as nearly 30 students, aspiring young leaders who are part of BDF's NextGen program and the Freedom Prize programming. The flight will take off from Atlanta on June 2, landing in Deauville, Normandy on June 3. While in Normandy, the veterans will take part in a week of special ceremonies and commemorations honoring the memory, sacrifice and service of Allied forces - fostering both cross-generational and cross-cultural connections.

"At Delta, we are deeply committed to connecting cultures and communities around the world," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. "Partnering with the Best Defense Foundation on this sacred journey back to Normandy is a great honor for the entire Delta team. As we approach America's 250th birthday, standing with and supporting our World War II veterans carries even greater meaning. This mission embodies Delta's values of service and connection and pays tribute to our history and the heroes whose sacrifices made global connection possible."

As in previous years, the Best Defense Foundation will provide individualized care for each WWII veteran throughout the trip. Delta employees, including volunteers from the Veterans Business Resource Group, will accompany veterans as trained caregivers, supporting them one-on-one to create a meaningful, dignified and memorable experience.

"Returning to Normandy is never routine," said Donnie Edwards, President and Co-Founder of the Best Defense Foundation. "For our WWII veterans, it is a homecoming to the place where their courage changed the course of history, and a reminder that they are not forgotten. We are grateful to stand alongside Delta Air Lines as we bring these heroes back to France surrounded by the camaraderie and care they deserve."

The Normandy Legacy Flight is managed by Virginie Durr in partnership with Delta's Veterans Business Resource Group. Virginie was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor, France's highest distinction, for her work strengthening the ties between the U.S. and France and her tireless dedication to preserving the legacy of World War II veterans through the program.

Passing on the legacy to future generations

To honor the lasting impact of WWII veterans, Delta and the Best Defense Foundation (BDF) are bringing more than two dozen students to Normandy through two educational programs designed to ensure the stories and values of the Greatest Generation live on.

Through BDF's NextGen Program, more than a dozen students will travel alongside the veterans - walking the historic sites of WWII, hearing firsthand accounts and offering support throughout the journey. When they return home, these students will share what they learned in their classrooms and communities, helping preserve and pass on the veterans' stories for years to come. Students and aspiring leaders between the ages of 18-24 years old are invited to apply at BDF's website here.

Joining them are 14 students of the Freedom Prize, an international youth-led award created by the Normandy Region to honor individuals and organizations advancing freedom, peace and human rights.

"Eighty-two years after the D-Day landings, Normandy renews its profound gratitude to the heroes who liberated its territory - as well as France and Europe - at the risk of their own lives. As in previous years, it will be a great honor for me to welcome these veterans to the Abbaye aux Dames in Caen," said Hervé Morin, President of Normandy. "Their presence, alongside American students, will give a deeply moving resonance to the Freedom Prize ceremony on June 4th in Caen. Each year, young people from around the world nominate a person or organization whose actions embody an exemplary and inspiring commitment to the defense of freedom."

The iconic documentary "Why We Dream" shares the stories of veterans who took part in Delta's 2024 Normandy Legacy Flight. Set to debut on CNN later this spring, the film reflects on the veterans' memories and the experiences that helped shape post-World War II America. The documentary initially premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and was an official selection of the 2025 Deauville American Film Festival. Many of the veterans featured in this film will also be part of the 2026 Normandy program.

Delta's long-standing support of veterans

Delta is honored to stand alongside Normandy, the Best Defense Foundation and Michelin in celebrating the courage of WWII veterans and preserving their legacy.

Today, 11% of Delta employees are veterans, including many who continue serving in the Guard or Reserves. Delta's longstanding support for veterans and military families includes:

• Onboarding new partners to promote access to opportunities to veterans across the enterprise, including Military MOJO, Service Academy Career Conference, Value of a Veteran and MBA Veterans Network.
• Building a robust military talent pipeline through partnerships with organizations such as FourBlock and the PaYS Program to help veterans transition to civilian careers.
• Serving as a principal funder of five Fisher House Foundation facilities, where families of military personnel can stay at no cost while their loved ones receive treatment.
• Supporting 15 USO chapters through sponsorship and volunteer work, including assembling care packages, serving hot meals, and spending time with service members.
• Contributing to the Marine Toys for Tots campaign for over 20 years, providing bicycles, toys and books to children in need in December and contributing annually to the organization.
• Supporting Folds of Honor in 18 markets across the U.S. through funding for educational scholarships for family members of fallen or disabled American military members.
• Engaging in meaningful partnerships to support armed service members and veterans including the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Luke's Wings, Operation Healing Forces, Serving Our Troops, along with the Freedom Center in Detroit, the Armed Forces Service Centers in Miami and Minneapolis and the Army PaYS Program.

Building upon our partnership with Best Defense Foundation (BDF), this April Delta will also support BDF's upcoming battlefield return program to Vietnam and ensure veterans are given the welcome back home they may have never received.

Fuel for a purpose: Delta uses SAF on Normandy Legacy Flight for the third year

For the third consecutive year, Delta will also use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a book-and-claim model to reduce the emissions impact of the Normandy charter. Although SAF is not yet available at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta will replace a gallon of conventional jet fuel across its network for each gallon consumed on the charter - supporting the airline's aspirations to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

About the Best Defense Foundation

Founded by Kathryn and Donnie Edwards as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Best Defense Foundation is dedicated to supporting all generations of veterans. The Foundation is funded entirely through sponsorships, private donations, and Edwards' personal philanthropy. At the heart of the mission is a deep commitment to honoring WWII veterans by bringing them back to the very battlefields where they served, offering a powerful opportunity for healing, reflection, camaraderie, and celebration of their courage and sacrifice. Since 2018, the Foundation's
**Battlefield Return Program** has brought veterans to historic sites including Normandy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Iwo Jima, Guam, Tinian and Saipan, and Germany.

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).

• Veterans