Catherine Banks, a Marine Corps veteran, was ordered to leave a Delta Airlines flight at San Francisco International Airport after an employee found her t-shirt supporting veterans “threatening.” Banks, who served 22 years in the Marine Corps and 15 years in the Air Force, was flying to visit her Marine sister when the incident occurred.
The message on her t-shirt, which read, “Do Not Give In To The War Within. End Veteran Suicide,” is part of a campaign by Til Valhalla Project, a group that raises funds for veterans’ mental health support and suicide prevention. Despite the shirt’s positive message, a male flight attendant deemed it inappropriate and ordered Banks to change.
“I was stunned,” Banks said. “I’ve served my country for over 20 years, and I couldn’t believe I was being told to get off the plane because of a shirt supporting my fellow veterans.” Banks attempted to explain her service to the employee, but was met with indifference, as he responded, “I don’t care about your service.”
To comply, Banks had to change into a sweatshirt, a process made even more uncomfortable as she wasn’t wearing a bra beneath her t-shirt. Once she returned to the plane, she was not allowed to take her original seat, which she had paid extra for, and was forced to sit in the back. The delay caused her to miss a connecting flight.
Delta Airlines, which reserves the right to remove passengers if their attire causes offense, has reached out to Banks to address the situation, though no public statement has been made.
