The founder of a company dedicated to ending veteran suicides slammed Delta Airlines’ behavior as “appalling” Friday for forcing a Marine to remove her T-shirt that sported their slogan.
Korey Shaffer offered to cover Catherine Banks’ airfare Saturday — proclaiming that she “deserved better” for enduring the humiliating incident.
“To hear someone was mistreated for wearing our gear that helps pay for the memorials delivered to families of fallen heroes and therapy for veterans, is appalling,” Shaffer, a USMC vet who founded the Til Valhalla Project organization, wrote on Facebook.
“Miss Banks, THANK YOU for not only your service but for your support in our mission. You deserved better!”
Shaffer also offered to fly her out to Florida to see his organization’s operations.
“We don’t do politics here at T.V.P. and we always try to practice empathy. We are simply here to pay tribute to those fallen, raise awareness, and reduce veteran suicide,” he wrote.
Banks, a 22-year veteran of the Marines, was wearing a Til Valhalla Project shirt when she boarded the Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport earlier this week.
The T-shirt, which read “Do Not Give In To The War Within. End Veteran Suicide,” was from a collection meant to bring awareness to the estimated 22 veterans who commit suicide per day.
A male flight attendant, however, escorted her off the plane and said the message was “threatening.” He demanded that Banks remove the tee or she would be in danger of losing her place on the plane.
“I can get that maybe two words on there are debatable out of context, but within context it’s extremely noble,” said Shaffer.
Banks tried to explain her storied military history and the sentiment behind the T-shirt, but the flight attendant told her: “I don’t care about your service.”
After finally relenting, Banks was allowed to return to the plane donning a sweatshirt — but was forced to sit near the rear after giving away the seat she paid extra for to another passenger.
“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,” Banks said of the humiliating incident.
Delta Airlines did not respond to The Post’s request for comment regarding Shaffer’s statement, but previously claimed that the matter had 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,” a Delta spokesperson said.
Delta Airlines can refuse to transport passengers if their “conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers,” according to the airline.
