A UNITED States veteran fumed after she was forced to change out of her “threatening shirt” with “end veteran suicide” written across it.
Catherine Banks, from Ukiah, California, was at San Francisco International Airport when a flight attendant allegedly explained her top was too offensive.
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She said that she was ordered to make an impromptu outfit change while aboard the Delta flight she was taking to see family on October 16.
Catherine said that a male member of crew suddenly approached her to remove her off the flight.
She told NBC Bay Area: “[He said] ‘Ma’am, ma’am’. I looked around, like, ‘Who was he talking to – and it was me.’
“He said, ‘You need to get off the plane’ and I was like, ‘What did I do?'”
The vet was cooperative when she was escorted off the plane and taken to the jet bridge where she learned why she was removed.
The shirt simply read: “Do Not Give In To The War Within. End Veteran Suicide.”
She explained: “He said ‘That shirt you’re wearing is threatening.’ I said, ‘Are you kidding me?'”
Catherine, who served in the Marine Corps for 22 years, was wearing a grey outfit and had paid extra for a seat with more legroom.
She told the attendant: “I’m a Marine Corps vet. I’m going to see my Marine sister.
“I’ve been in the Marine Corps for 22 years and worked for the Air Force for 15 years. I’m going to visit her.”
But the staff member was left unfazed by her background and issued her an ultimatum if she wanted to return to the plane.
Catherine claims he replied: “I don’t care about your service, and I don’t care about her service.
“The only way you’re going to get back on the plane is if you take it off right now.”
Compliant, she told him to turn around while she swapped the so-called triggering top for a sweatshirt.
The shirt that allegedly caused offense to the Delta employee is sold by the Til Valhalla Project.
It aims to bring awareness to the estimated 22 veterans who die by suicide daily.
Catherine added: “I feel like they just took my soul away. I’m not a bad person, and that T-shirt, I should be allowed to support myself and veterans.”
Once she returned to the jet, she was taken to the back of the plane as her initial more premium seat had already been filled out.
Delta Airlines says they can deny travel to transport passengers if their “conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers”.
A Delta Spokesperson told the New York Post: “The matter with the customer has been resolved.
“We appreciate her patience as we continue to work to understand what occurred during this event.
“Most importantly, we are thankful for her service to our country.”
The US Sun has approached Delta for comment.
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You’re not alone
ON average, 123 people a day die by suicide in America.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
