A Marine Corps veteran was removed from a Delta flight before she was ordered to change when a flight attendant noted that the passenger’s shirt, which drew attention to suicides in the military, was “threatening.”

Catherine Banks, a 22-year Marine veteran, was aboard the Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport on Oct. 16 to visit her family. She was wearing her dark gray outfit and sitting in her extra legroom seat that she paid for.

“Don’t give in to the internal war. “Stop veteran suicide,” read the slogan on Banks’ T-shirt.

A male flight attendant approached Banks and became confused as he tried to get her attention.

“‘Ma’am, ma’am.’ I looked around and asked myself, “Who was he talking to?” And it was me. He said, ‘You have to get off the plane,’ and I said, ‘What did I do?'” Banks told KNTV.

Banks obeyed and was escorted from the plane to the jet bridge, where she eventually learned why she was being removed.

“He said the shirt you were wearing was threatening,” she said. “I said, ‘Are you kidding me?'”

A stunned Banks questioned the Delta employee, then explained that she was a veteran.

“I am a Marine Corps veteran. I’m going to see my Marine sister. I have been in the Marine Corps for 22 years and worked in the Air Force for 15 years. I will visit her.”

Banks’ military background didn’t bother the flight attendant, who gave her an ultimatum to return to the plane.

“I don’t care about their service, and I don’t care about their service. The only way to get back on the plane is to get off it immediately,” Banks recalls.

Banks, who was not wearing a bra under her shirt, told the flight attendant to turn around so she could remove the seemingly polarizing shirt and replace it with a sweatshirt.

The t-shirt is sold by the Til Valhalla Project as part of the “22 a Day Collection,” which raises awareness of the estimated 22 veterans who commit suicide every day.

According to the USO, the number of suicides among active-duty military personnel is at its highest since records began since September 11th.

Over 30,000 active duty soldiers and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 died by suicide – compared to the 7,057 service members who were killed in combat during the same 20 years, according to a study published in 2021.

Banks says her shirt is a symbol of the work she does to help her fellow soldiers and taking it off humiliated her.

“I feel like they just took my soul. I’m not a bad person, and with this shirt I should have the opportunity to support myself and the veterans,” she said.

Banks was placed in the back of the plane instead of the seat she had paid for, which had already been assigned to another passenger.

Delta Airlines can deny boarding to passengers if their “conduct, clothing, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or harassment to other passengers,” the airline said.

The Post has reached out to Delta.

In August, another Delta passenger was kicked off a flight because of his mismatched shirt.

The unidentified man was wearing a black T-shirt with the image of former President Donald Trump holding up both middle fingers, with the words “Hawk Tuah spit on that thing” and a reference to the viral “Hawk Tuah” girl video.

Active duty troops, veterans and family members who need assistance can call the Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line at 988, chat at veterananencrisisline.net or text 838255.