In a powerful tribute to the heroes of World War II, 27 American veterans returned to Normandy this week aboard a special Delta Air Lines charter flight, 82 years after taking part in the liberation of France during the D-Day campaign. Most of the veterans are now centenarians, making the journey an emotional and historic occasion.
Delta Flight DL9994, operated by a Boeing 767-300, departed Atlanta and arrived at Deauville-Normandy Airport on June 3. Before landing, the flight crew gave the veterans an aerial view of Omaha Beach, one of the key landing sites during the Allied invasion on June 6, 1944.
The veterans received a hero’s welcome upon arrival, with France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner, local officials, military personnel, and hundreds of residents gathering to honor their service. American and French service members stood side by side to salute the returning veterans.
The special flight was organized as part of Delta’s fifth annual Normandy Legacy Flight in partnership with the Best Defense Foundation. The veterans will spend the week participating in parades, ceremonies, school visits, and official D-Day remembrance events before returning to the United States later this week.
