A Marine Corps veteran was temporarily removed from a Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport for wearing a T-shirt aimed at bringing attention to veteran suicide, attire a flight attendant reportedly found "threatening."

U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Lindsey Graham have called on Delta CEO Ed Bastian to address the veteran's removal from the flight and enhance employee training to avoid similar occurrences in the future, as Fox Business reports.

Catherine Banks, who formerly served in the Marine Corps, encountered this unexpected situation as she prepared to fly from San Francisco to Detroit.

The T-shirt she wore included a message: "Do not give in to the war within. End veteran suicide," which she intended as a statement against the crisis of veteran suicides.

Banks reported that a flight attendant approached her saying the shirt's message was considered alarming and requested its removal as a condition of re-boarding. To comply, Banks donned a sweatshirt over the T-shirt, allowing her to rejoin the flight but only in a rear seat, different from her original one.

Calls For Change in Delta's Policies

This incident has attracted significant attention, prompting a stern response from Sens. Britt and Graham. They addressed a letter to Bastian questioning the handling of the situation and highlighting the importance of promoting awareness to prevent veteran suicides.

In their letter, the senators emphasized the critical nature of addressing mental health and the negative impact of Delta's actions against those efforts. They argued that the airline's response to Banks' attire contradicted the objectives of mental health advocacy and reducing the stigma associated with it.

Both senators expressed their belief that the flight crew misapplied Delta's policy. They urged the airline to publicly support veterans and improve employee training to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Delta's Response and Internal Reports

Delta has presented differing accounts of the event through internal documents. The airline's own report argued that Banks' T-shirt did not factor into her brief removal from the flight.

In a statement to the Marine Corps Times, Delta reiterated its commitment to assisting veterans, asserting that shirts supportive of mental health initiatives would not be deemed offensive. The airline clarified that Banks completed her journey to Detroit, and the company's Customer Care team proactively reached out to her following her complaint.

Delta's policy, accessible via its website, reserves the airline's right to deny service to passengers whose attire is considered offensive or bothersome to others. This incident has prompted a reevaluation of the policy, particularly regarding its implementation by employees during sensitive situations.

Wider Discussion on Veterans' Mental Health

The airline's statement stressed its ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and that the flight crew is trained to address attire issues considerately. Delta mentioned its proactive approach in contacting Banks to resolve the matter, recognizing her patience and service to the nation.

Britt and Graham's letter also highlighted critical statistics on veteran suicides: over 30,000 active-duty service members and veterans have taken their lives since Sept. 11, 2001. They applauded any initiatives to raise awareness, particularly when led by veterans like Banks.

They argued that it is illogical to claim the message on Banks' shirt would offend or disturb other passengers, given the prevalent need for discussions on this topic. They also called on Delta to compensate Banks for this unsettling experience and refine training to prevent repeating such occurrences.

Moving Forward with Awareness, Training

Both senators concluded their letter by urging Delta to substantiate its commitment to veterans actively. They expressed a desire to see the airline take concrete steps in enhancing training protocols for their employees to support causes crucial to veterans' well-being.

Banks’ experience on the Delta flight has sparked a wider conversation regarding the treatment of veterans and the broader issue of mental health awareness. The senators' involvement underscores the importance of the subject and their push for structural change within such a prominent airline like Delta.

Ultimately, this incident serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges veterans face and the importance of sensitivity and awareness toward mental health issues.

Delta's next steps could set a precedent for how airlines handle and contribute to these critical societal discussions.