[FunkPumpkin]

California family booed on flight bringing home soldier killed in Afghanistan, dad says:

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The father of a slain Northern California soldier said his family was booed on the flight to bring his son’s body home from Afghanistan, CBS Sacramento station KOVR-TV reports.

Sgt. John Perry was killed on Saturday in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.

His father, Stewart Perry, mourned the loss of his son at a service on Thursday.

“Most importantly, I want people to know about the heroic thing that my son did,” he said.

His son stumbled on the suicide bomber before he could reach his target, a soldiers’ 5K Veterans Day run.

“He would have killed possibly 100, 200, who knows?” Perry said.

Perry said his son’s death comes comes at a time military service is facing disrespect. He said his family was even booed on the flight to bring his son’s body home over a delay.

“To hear the reaction of the flight being delayed because of a Gold Star family and the first class cabin booing, that was really upsetting, and it made us cry some more,” he said.

Perry said his son’s death also underscores why the American flag is sacred for service members, not just a symbol for protest.

“It’s not for protest - it’s for the death of the people that are saving us. That’s what it’s for,” he said.

He also called out recent presidential campaign rhetoric, including President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about the Khan family.

“One example would be Donald Trump speaking badly about a Gold Star family, who I now am, and it really bothers me, but it also bothers me that people don’t want to talk about the terrorism that killed my kid,” he said.

A soldier’s death defending his country has left a father defending his son.

“My kid was over there to help put a stop to this garbage, and he died,” he said.

© 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[Steve]

Did the other passengers know why the flight was delayed? Were they simply booing at the flight being delayed without being told the reason why?

[gatagato]

Originally Posted by Top Gear ↗

Did the other passengers know why the flight was delayed? Were they simply booing at the flight being delayed without being told the reason why?

According to what the father said to the Army Times, the passengers booed loudly when it was announced the flight would be delayed so the remains of Sgt. John Perry could be met;
Some people were saying "This is just baloney" and "I paid for first-class for this?" etc...

However, In an alternative interview with the Stockton Record, Stewart Perry said he didn’t know if the passengers knew there was a Gold Star family on board, with the father saying the captain told passengers a ‘special military family’ had to leave first; he also said that regardless of whether the passengers knew the reason for the family’s urgency, they should have been more tolerant.

There's a huge difference between the two scenarios, and I refuse to believe that they actually booed knowing the actual reason behind the delay, it would be incredibly sad and disgusting.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by gatagato ↗

According to what the father said to the Army Times, the passengers booed loudly when it was announced the flight would be delayed so the remains of Sgt. John Perry could be met;
Some people were saying "This is just baloney" and "I paid for first-class for this?" etc...

However, In an alternative interview with the Stockton Record, Stewart Perry said he didn’t know if the passengers knew there was a Gold Star family on board, with the father saying the captain told passengers a ‘special military family’ had to leave first; he also said that regardless of whether the passengers knew the reason for the family’s urgency, they should have been more tolerant.

There's a huge difference between the two scenarios, and I refuse to believe that they actually booed knowing the actual reason behind the delay, it would be incredibly sad and disgusting.

I agree, I find it hard to believe they booed if they knew.

[zhazoo]

I think with the political temperature as it is right now, it's very possible disgusting people booed and knew why. I dunno . . . I don't expect things like this, but I'm not surprised when / if it happens.

In general: people suck.

[T2]

Absolutely sickening, that people would behave in such a disrespectful manner.

[Desensitisation]

Here's hoping the people who booed didn't know precisely what the hold up was all about.

If they did, even though I'll never have anything to do with the military myself, I would always respect someone who gave their life fighting for what should be a good reason.

[subhuman]

What's the hurry? He's dead already.

[lennon1218]

A bullshit death in a bullshit war. Respect things worth respecting.

[RealityUnfolding]

Sounds like Daddy was trying to use his son for political gain here. Dumping his story so he could then warble on about completely unrelated topics.

It bears pointing out - it had nothing to do with his remains. In fact, it had nothing to do with the deceased at all.

They were flying a few connections. Their first flight had left late in the first place (so you have cranky people as it is). When some would have had connections in Phoenix, cutting it razor thin, they were told to wait and stay seated once they got to the gate "to let a military family off first to make their connection".

So you've got cranky people, late for THEIR connections, who were told to wait even longer so someone ELSE could make connections. Half the reason people pay for first class is to be first off - especially if they have close connecting flights. That's a perk and it costs a pretty penny. To be told to sit down and shush while another family could get off to make their flight WOULD be annoying.

Sure, it's different after knowing the whole story - but who put that story out? The father... who contacted various organizations himself to put out that he was booed, then rambled on something else.