No Calm After Veteran Forced to Change T-Shirt At Great Adventure

A U.S. Marine veteran of Iraq says he was refused entry at Six Flags Great Adventure last weekend until he changed his shirt.

Mario Alejandro, 33, of Woodbridge, was at the theme park in Jackson with his wife and children last Saturday for a birthday party, according to an article on NJ.com. As the family went through security, a guard stopped him, saying he could not enter the park unless he changed his black T-shirt, which bore the phrase, “Keep Calm And Return Fire” along with a red, white and blue machine gun on the front and the logo and website for The Reconnaissance Foundation on the back.

The shirt, a Father’s Day gift, was a take on the popular “Keep Calm” meme that has been circulating for months. This shirt also was a fundraiser for the nonprofit foundation, which assists Recon Marines and their families.

Kristin B. Siebeneicher, a spokeswoman for Six Flags Great Adventure, told NJ.com the park the incident was “under review” but that the park’s dress code does not allow clothing with “vulgar, offensive or violent language or images.” She also said the park has a longstanding relationship with the U.S. military, including a number of events honoring veterans and active military.

Read more on the incident at NJ.com.