Kickoff gala

The historic journey with 28 World War II veterans—most of whom are over 100 years old—officially began on Monday, June 1, in Delta’s hometown of Atlanta, marked by a heartfelt welcome and gala dinner at the Delta Flight Museum.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Delta employees lined the red carpet, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our honored veterans. As they made their way in, they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and a sea of waving American and French flags—a powerful tribute to the enduring bond between the two nations and the heroes who helped secure their freedom.

The evening transitioned into a moving gala that brought together WWII veterans, students, Delta employees and leaders and partners including The Best Defense Foundation, Michelin and French Ambassador Laurent Bili. In one of the night’s most memorable moments, Cpl. Jack Myers joined NextGen student Caleb Walker in a heartfelt rendition of “God Bless America”—a powerful reflection of the enduring bond formed through a past program and a symbol of connection and legacy.

But this meaningful evening was just the beginning. Tonight, these veterans will depart for Normandy, retracing the steps of history and returning to the very shores where their courage helped change the course of history.