Delta Air Lines honors veterans with events while offering ongoing support throughout the year

Policy

Stephanie Asbury, S.V.P. ‐ Global Talent Management | Delta Air Lines

By Sky Industry News

Nov 11, 2024

Delta Air Lines has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting U.S. military members, veterans, and their families, emphasizing that this support extends beyond Veterans Day. Theresa Livingston, a retired Lt. Col. and Delta First Officer who also serves as President of Delta's Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG), stated, “Delta’s annual Veterans Day celebration is always extraordinary and serves as a special opportunity for the Delta family to come together to thank and celebrate those who have given so much for our freedom.” She further noted that Delta's support for the military community is a year-round effort.

This year marked Delta's 13th annual Veterans Day Celebration hosted by the TechOps team and Veterans BRG. The event featured more than 40 vintage and active-duty military aircraft and included speeches from notable figures such as Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell, a Medal of Honor recipient.

Keyra Lynn Johnson, V.P. and Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Impact Officer at Delta, highlighted the significance of Vietnam veterans in this year's event. “This year’s event specifically highlighted the experiences of Vietnam Veterans,” she said.

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In addition to these celebrations, Delta provides customers with opportunities to honor veterans through curated content on seatback screens and supports initiatives like Fisher House Foundation's Hero Miles program through SkyWish.

Delta's efforts extend into sports partnerships as well. In Los Angeles, they participated in the Lakers' annual Veterans Day game by hosting a Salute to Our Troops experience. Similarly, in Salt Lake City, they hosted a local military member at the Jazz’s Veteran’s Day home game.

The airline has also demonstrated long-standing support for World War II veterans by partnering with organizations like Best Defense Foundation to facilitate trips commemorating historical events such as D-Day anniversaries.

Bob Somers, SVP of Global Sales at Delta commented on these initiatives saying, “These initiatives are a true testament to the power of corporate partnerships.”

Beyond events and partnerships, Delta focuses on hiring veteran talent as part of its diversity strategy by collaborating with various organizations to build pipelines for transitioning veterans into civilian careers.

To retain veteran employees effectively—over 11% of their workforce—Delta provides professional development opportunities through its Veterans BRG and engages in several supportive activities like funding Fisher House Foundation facilities and supporting USO chapters across different regions.

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Organizations Included in this History

Delta Air Lines

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