Delta Salutes WWII Vets with Normandy Flight, New Documentary

A Living Memorial: Delta Flies WWII Heroes Back to Normandy

Delta Air Lines isn't just flying passengers this Memorial Day. As millions head off for holiday travel, the carrier is making sure the true cost of freedom isn't forgotten, honoring World War II veterans with a powerful new documentary and an historic flight back to Normandy.

First up: Why We Dream, a CNN Films documentary. It premieres this Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (repeating at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), and you'll be able to stream it on the CNN app. Produced by Delta's own Window Seat Studios with Vice Media’s Pulse Films and directed by Meredith Danluck, the film chronicles the emotional journeys of WWII veterans returning to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

On June 2, the airline takes to the skies for its fifth Normandy Legacy Flight. It's more than a trip; it’s a pilgrimage for 29 World War II veterans heading back to France, marking the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. Delta has partnered with the Best Defense Foundation and Michelin for this journey. Three veterans from Why We Dream will be on board, some making their first return since the war itself. Caregivers — including Delta employees and veterans — students, and other Delta partners will accompany them for a week of commemorative events.

Consider Alan Kinder, a 101-year-old from Gainesville, GA, making his first Legacy Flight. He landed at Utah Beach in August 1944, just months after D-Day. As an instrument and sound survey technician, Kinder's critical role placed him near the front lines, using sensitive microphones to locate enemy artillery, which helped increase Allied attack accuracy. He survived harrowing experiences: the march to Bastogne, the infamous Battle of the Bulge, even a narrow escape when a German shell struck a house he was in. His discharge came December 5, 1945.

Kinder won't be alone. Delta TechOps employee Bryce Ulmer, a U.S. Air Force veteran, will accompany him. Ulmer's own impressive service started before he even finished high school, working as a crew chief rescue on helicopters, and later on surveillance and cargo aircraft. After joining Delta in 1990, he re-enlisted in the Air Force at 40, serving in the Air National Guard and Reserves with overseas deployments until his retirement in 2017. His dedication doesn't stop there; he’s part of Delta's Honor Guard and Habitat Humanity Builds, and now adds Legacy Flight caregiver to his long list of contributions.

Delta's commitment to these veterans doesn't end when the plane lands. The airline has watched bonds formed on Legacy Flights grow into lasting friendships, actively fostering those connections through its WWII Veterans Ambassador Program, which pairs employees with past flight participants. A partnership with GrandPad even provides tablets, ensuring veterans stay connected with employees year-round.

As these heroes return to the Normandy beaches, their stories aren't just remembered; they're carried forward by a new generation. This Memorial Day, Delta’s efforts aren't simply a tribute. They're a potent, active reminder that true honor demands more than a moment of silence — it means ensuring these legacies truly live on.

Want to follow the journey? You can find updates from June 2-10 on the Normandy Legacy Flight page at Delta News Hub, and on social media via @lifeatdelta and @delta.