Michelin honors WWII veterans with return to Normandy for 82nd D-Day anniversary

• For the fifth consecutive year, Michelin commemorates the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, France.
• The return to Normandy also includes students who will help carry forward the legacy of these veterans for future generations.
• In partnership with the Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines, Michelin brings World War II veterans back to France.

GREENVILLE, S.C., June 4, 2026 - Michelin North America, Inc. will once again help make a remarkable journey possible, bringing World War II veterans back to Normandy, France, for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

In partnership with the Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the courage and sacrifices of these veterans are remembered not just in history books, but through firsthand experiences passed on to future generations.

"It is deeply meaningful and humbling for Michelin to stand alongside these veterans in Normandy," said Matthew Cabe, President and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc. "Supporting this initiative is one way we demonstrate our deep gratitude for these heroes and ensure the significance of their service is carried forward for generations to come."

The veterans departed on a charter flight on June 2, accompanied by a team of caregivers and volunteers from each of the partner organizations. During their nine-day experience, the group will participate in a series of commemorative ceremonies and celebrations, marking the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

"As we mark the fifth year of the Normandy Legacy Flight, we are reminded that carrying forward a legacy of this magnitude requires partners who share not only our values, but a deep sense of purpose and responsibility," said Bob Somers, Delta's Senior Vice President of Global Sales. "We are profoundly grateful for our partnership with Michelin, whose steadfast commitment and collaboration make this mission possible year after year. Together, we are honored to pay tribute to our nation's greatest heroes by preserving their legacy, honoring their sacrifice, and ensuring their stories endure for generations to come."

For the Best Defense Foundation, the journey is about more than commemoration, it is about connection.

"Michelin's commitment to this mission goes beyond sponsorship," said Donnie Edwards, Founder of the Best Defense Foundation. "It is a shared belief that the men and women who fought for our freedom deserve to be remembered, honored, and heard. Because of partners like Michelin, we are able to bring veterans back to the places that shaped history and ensure their stories live on in the people who will carry them forward."

Bridging generations through shared experience
This year's program again includes students selected through the Best Defense Foundation's NextGen program. Traveling alongside the veterans, they will serve as escorts and witnesses, walking the beaches, bridges and towns that defined one of history's most pivotal moments.
From Omaha Beach to Pegasus Bridge and Carentan, students will experience history with those who lived it. The program is designed to ensure that the stories of those who served continue to be told with authenticity, respect and impact.

A partnership built on purpose
The collaboration between Michelin, Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines began in 2021, establishing the partnership that has now brought veterans back to France each year since the 78th anniversary of D-Day in 2022. The effort has grown into a meaningful tradition, rooted in gratitude and sustained by shared values.

A historic connection to D-Day
Michelin's ties to D-Day date back to the spring of 1944. As Allied forces prepared, there was a concern around navigating areas of France where road signs had been sabotaged. The 1939 Michelin Guide, with its 500 detailed maps, was the answer. The Allied General Staff reprinted the Guide in Washington and distributed it to every D-Day commander.

In the months that followed, Michelin produced and delivered more maps to aid Allied advances through Europe-contributions that later earned the company formal recognition from Allied Forces for its support.

Today, that legacy continues, not through maps, but through moments like these, where history is honored not only by remembering, but by returning.