The historic journey with 48 WWII veterans – most of whom are in their mid- to late 90s – officially kicked off on Saturday, June 1 in Delta’s hometown of Atlanta with a special gala dinner at the Delta Flight Museum. WWII veterans, Delta employees and leaders, our partners at The Best Defense Foundation, Michelin and Boeing, French and U.S. dignitaries, and Team USA Paralympians Brad Snyder and Dan Cnossen joined the special evening to celebrate the beginning of this important program, taking place for the third year in a row.  

Return to Normandy 2024 - Kickoff Dinner

The historic journey with 48 WWII Veterans – most of whom are in their mid- to late 90s – officially kicked off on Saturday, June 1 in Delta’s hometown of Atlanta with a special gala dinner at the Delta Flight Museum.

Cnossen, a seven-time Paralympic medalist as a member of Team USA’s Paralympic Biathlon and Nordic skiing team, was also a keynote speaker at the event, as he will be joining the WWII veterans on the special charter to Normandy.  

Throughout the duration of the program, the veterans, Delta and the Best Defense Foundation seek to engage and educate communities across the world so that the legacy of the Greatest Generation will live on. That’s why the 16 students selected for the Next Generation Program and 10 students selected for the Eastman Liberty Prize Contest were also in attendance at the gala dinner – and why they will be joining this exciting return to Normandy alongside these WWII veterans.  

In addition to touching remarks and good company throughout the evening, gala dinner guests enjoyed viewing 1940s vehicles, a special Legion of Honor Celebration for Ralph Bond, music from the Peachtree Jazz Edition and more. 

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