Delta’s Virginie Durr awarded French Legion of Honor for leadership in Normandy Legacy Flight

Delta's Virginie Durr awarded French Legion of Honor for leadership in Normandy Legacy Flight

At a ceremony held at the Delta Flight Museum this week, Virginie received the French Legion of Honor - France's highest distinction - for her role in launching Delta's Normandy Legacy Flight.

For the past four years, Delta's Normandy Legacy Flight has returned World War II veterans to the beaches of Normandy, France - a program that started and continues to thrive thanks to the vision and passion of Virginie Durr, an enterprise sales manager for Delta, Normandy native and the program's project lead.

At a ceremony held at the Delta Flight Museum this week, Virginie received the French Legion of Honor - France's highest distinction - for her role in launching this first-of-its-kind program that commemorates the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, honors the legacy of these heroes and educates the next generation.

Attended by her family, friends, Delta colleagues, fellow French Foreign Trade Advisors, WWII veterans and Normandy Legacy Flight partners, the ceremony paid tribute to Virginie's devotion, leadership and perseverance to make this initiative a reality.

"As we celebrate our Centennial, we've made important milestones throughout the year to celebrate all the people and opportunities that gave rise to our success," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian in remarks at the ceremony. "And Virginie, you're right there at the top of that list."

The award was formally presented to Virginie by Ambassador of France Philippe Étienne, who praised her efforts and reflected on the particularly memorable commemorations of the 80^th anniversary of D-Day in 2024.

"Dear Virginie, you are one of the people who made them possible through your tireless efforts and profound dedication," he said. "I'm here to express the gratitude of the French nation to you. But also, to a great American company, Delta Air Lines; its leadership and employees; and your partners in this endeavor, notably the Best Defense Foundation and Michelin."

Virginie then took to the stage, sharing personal stories that have shaped and inspired her; paying special tribute to the six veteran "superheroes" - Aubrey Blackwell, Arlester Brown, Wally King, Hilbert Margol, Andy Negra and Harold Terens - who traveled to be there for the event; and expressing her thanks to all who helped make her dream a reality, especially her Delta family.

"To all of my 100,000 colleagues at Delta…you have my heartfelt gratitude," she said. "I share this honor with every one of you. Your pride and heart make this mission possible and unforgettable. You understand that this is much more than a flight - it's a tribute."

How it all started

The Normandy Legacy Flight is deeply personal to Virginie, as her grandmother was liberated by the campaign launched on D-Day.

"I remember, vividly, walking with her as a child on the beach of Normandy," she said. "She didn't speak of battles - she spoke of kindness and sacrifice. That memory never left me."

During the pandemic, Virginie watched "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" documentary, which shares stories of how the French remember the bravery and heroism of the Americans who liberated them on D-Day. She began to connect the dots between her Normandy roots, Delta's mission and the network of partners, like Michelin and Best Defense Foundation, that she engaged in her role.

The film became "a catalyst - an urgent call to honor the Greatest Generation while we still could," she said.

Her "wild idea" became reality in 2022 and again in 2023, 2024 and 2025, when Delta, in partnership with Michelin and the Best Defense Foundation, supported the return of veterans to Normandy with week-long events for them to be honored and celebrated by the people of Normandy and a nonstop charter flight directly from Atlanta to Deauville. Delta is the only U.S. passenger airline that has flown directly to Normandy.

"Normandy shows the world what remembrance looks like when it's lived, not just commemorated," Virgine said. "Its people make it not just a place of history, but a place of heart. I couldn't be prouder to be a Normandy native."

A year-round mission

Virginie's impact extends far beyond the annual flight through:

• Year-round connections with veterans: Virginie stays in touch with every veteran who has participated in the charter, all year round. She launched the Global Sales Community Ambassador program to pair each veteran with a Delta employee who remains connected long after the flight ends. And through a partnership with GrandPad, a SkyMiles for Business customer, each veteran received a tablet to stay in touch with their Delta family.
  
• Purpose-driven partnerships: Virginie's leadership has inspired others to give back to this cause. Aviramp donated a custom ramp to ensure veterans can disembark safely and comfortably at Deauville Airport; Delta flight attendants raised funds to create custom medals for veterans; and The Freedom Prize and Best Defense Foundation Next Gen Program brings students from the U.S., Brazil and Europe to Normandy, connecting generations and preserving stories of sacrifice and bravery.
  
• Stories to carry through generations: The Normandy Legacy Flight has evolved into a powerful educational initiative, ensuring that the sacrifices of WWII veterans are never forgotten. Through student engagement, storytelling and year-round connection, Virginie has helped transform remembrance into action.

About the French Legion of Honor

The Legion of Honor is the highest French order of merit, awarded to individuals who have served France or upheld its ideals.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it's awarded on the sole criterion of services rendered to the nation, bringing together men and women from all walks of life, both civilian and military.

Recipients include those who have made exceptional contributions to France, as well as veterans like the Americans who risked their lives fighting on French soil during WWII. Previous honorees in the U.S. also include Josephine Baker, Clint Eastwood, Thomas Edison, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Alan Greenspan, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ambassador Andrew Young.

Delta's support of veterans

With 11% of Delta's employees being veterans and many of them continuing to serve in the Guard or Reserves, Delta's work to support veterans and their families dates back decades and includes several efforts, such as onboarding new partners to promote access to opportunities to veterans across the enterprise, building a robust military talent pipeline and engaging in meaningful partnerships to support armed service members and veterans.

• Veterans