A Marine Corps veteran from California was unexpectedly removed from a Delta Air Lines flight on Wednesday because of a T-shirt she wore that brought attention to the alarming rate of veteran suicides in the United States. The incident has ignited conversations around the treatment of veterans and the challenges they face after service, especially when it comes to raising awareness about serious issues like mental health.
Catherine Banks, who served in the Marine Corps for 22 years and worked for the Air Force for another 15, was preparing to fly out of San Francisco when a flight attendant asked her to disembark. The reason: her T-shirt, which bore the message, “Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide.”
According to Banks, the flight attendant deemed her shirt “threatening” and insisted that she leave the plane before takeoff. In an interview with NBC, Banks recounted the encounter: “He said, ‘Ma’am, you need to get off the plane.’ I had no idea what was happening.”
It wasn’t until she stood in the jet bridge, removed from her fellow passengers, that the attendant explained the real reason for her removal. “He told me, ‘That shirt you’re wearing is threatening.’” Banks, stunned, responded, “Are you kidding me? I’m a Marine Corps vet. I’ve served this country for 22 years, and I’m on my way to visit a fellow Marine.”
The flight attendant’s response further shocked Banks. “He said, ‘I don’t care about your service, and I don’t care about her service. The only way you’re getting back on this plane is if you take off that shirt.’” Banks, who was not wearing a bra underneath, was forced to turn her back to the flight attendant and change into a sweatshirt before being allowed to reboard.
Though Banks complied with the flight attendant’s demands and was allowed back on the plane, she was not permitted to return to her original seat in the extra-legroom section, which she had paid for. Instead, she was escorted to the back of the plane, where she spent the remainder of the flight. This entire ordeal caused a delay, and Banks missed her connecting flight.
Reflecting on the experience, Banks said, “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.” She described the encounter as deeply humiliating, an ordeal that left her questioning why raising awareness about veteran suicides could be seen as threatening.
The message on Banks’ T-shirt is not just a slogan—it’s a call to action. Veteran suicide is a significant issue in the United States, affecting thousands of service members and veterans each year. According to the United Service Organizations (USO), a staggering 30,177 active duty personnel and veterans who served after 9/11 have died by suicide—a number that far exceeds the 7,057 U.S. military personnel who were killed in combat over the same period.
Banks’ T-shirt is sold by the Til Valhalla Project, an organization dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers by raising funds for memorial plaques and providing financial support for therapy sessions for struggling veterans. The slogan, “Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide,” is central to the organization’s mission, which seeks to address the mental health crisis faced by many veterans.
For Banks, the shirt represents more than just a cause—it symbolizes the work she does for her fellow veterans. In 2016, Banks garnered media attention for her efforts to raise $150,000 to make the home of a Marine who lost his arms and legs in Afghanistan more accessible. She has long been committed to helping veterans in any way she can, saying at the time, “I won’t feel complete if I don’t reach out and see if there is anything I can do.”
The incident involving Banks has sparked significant backlash and calls for Delta Air Lines to address the situation. A spokesperson for the airline issued a statement acknowledging the incident and assuring the public that they are working to contact Banks directly. “Delta is seeking to make contact with the customer directly to hear more so we can begin to look into what occurred,” the spokesperson said.
As the airline investigates the matter, Banks’ story has fueled discussions on social media about how veterans are treated in the U.S. and the sensitivity required when dealing with those who have served. For many, the idea that a message of support for veterans could be interpreted as “threatening” is deeply concerning, especially given the ongoing mental health struggles faced by veterans across the country.
Veterans like Banks often play a crucial role in bringing attention to the mental health issues that plague the veteran community. Her removal from the Delta flight over a shirt meant to raise awareness about these issues underscores the importance of compassion and understanding when addressing veteran-related concerns.
Banks, a dedicated advocate for veterans, remains steadfast in her commitment to supporting her fellow service members. She hopes that her experience will shed light on the critical need for sensitivity when dealing with veterans and the serious issues they face, especially when it comes to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
