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American Airlines and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society bring
Medal of Honor Recipients together with service members, cadets and military
leaders across three military bases.
WASHINGTON, D.C., and FORT WORTH, Texas — Medal of Honor
Recipients traveled aboard American’s
Flagship Valor — an Airbus A321 featuring a special livery dedicated to the
legacy of the Medal of Honor — for Valor Tour 2026. This multiday tour
connected Recipients with current and future generations of U.S. service
members at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
Throughout the tour, Recipients were welcomed with military traditions and
unique experiences that reflected the deep respect for their service. The trip
began with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon departure from Ronald Reagan
Washington National Airport (DCA). At West Point, the Recipients spent time
with cadets during lunch and participated in candid discussions about
leadership, service and character. At Fort Bragg, Recipients were transported
in Infantry Squad Vehicles alongside soldiers before they participated in a
special reenlistment ceremony for active service members. The tour concluded at
Naval Station Norfolk, where Recipients were honored with a traditional Navy
welcome and engaged with sailors and military leaders.
Presented by American in support of the Congressional Medal of Honor
Society, the tour provided opportunities for Recipients to engage directly with
service members and military leaders, where they shared perspectives shaped by
their experiences in combat and decades of continued service. The engagements
support the Society’s congressionally chartered mission and its commitment to
preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and carrying its values forward to
future generations.
The participating Medal of Honor Recipients are all U.S. Army veterans:
“Valor Tour is a tangible way for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
and our nation’s living Medal of Honor Recipients to partner with American
Airlines in carrying out the Society’s Congressionally chartered mission,”
said Executive Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Chad
Graham. “Some of the most meaningful moments for our Recipients are those
spent with today’s warfighters and the next generation of service members …
sharing the wisdom gained through a lifetime of service, offering
encouragement, and reinforcing the values and responsibilities that endure
long after their own time in uniform. It is through these connections that
the legacy of the medal is carried forward from one generation of service to
the next.”
"Valor Tour is one of many meaningful ways we honor those who have
served our nation while inspiring those who serve. Bringing Medal of
Honor Recipients together with service members and future military leaders
creates powerful interactions to share lessons of leadership,
service, commitment and sacrifice across generations," said
American's Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. "As a West Point graduate
and former Army Airborne Ranger officer, it was especially meaningful to
return to both the academy and Fort Bragg to witness those conversations
firsthand."
Valor Tour 2026 continues the collaboration between American and the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society, both of which share a commitment to
honoring military service and creating meaningful opportunities for Medal of
Honor Recipients to engage with those who serve the nation.
About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to
the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern
United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to
more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200
million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000
aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of
caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026,
reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever
ForwardSM spirit that changed the industry and the world. American
introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and
the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer
experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the
oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900
destinations around the globe.
Get the latest about American at news.aa.com and @AmericanAir.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the only congressionally
chartered organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the legacy of the
Medal of Honor and supporting the Recipients who have received it. Established
in 1958 and comprised exclusively of living Medal of Honor Recipients, the
Society serves as the enduring steward of the legacy of the nation’s highest
military award for valor in combat.
Led by Medal of Honor Recipients themselves, the Society carries out its
Congressional mandate by caring for Recipients and their families, preserving
the history and heritage of the Medal, and bringing its stories of valor and
sacrifice to the American public. Through this work, the Society protects not
only the Medal’s legacy, but its enduring meaning to the nation.
Since the Medal’s creation during the Civil War, fewer than 4,000 of the
more than 40 million Americans who have served in the Armed Forces have
received the Medal of Honor.
Learn more at CMOHS.org.