Gold Star father claims family was booed by airplane passengers

Byline: Angeli Kakade

A fallen soldier's father is speaking out, saying his family was booed exiting a plane on their way to collect his son's remains.

Sgt. John Perry was killed November 12 along with Pfc. Tyler Iubelt and two American contractors during a suicide bombing at the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

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His father, Stewart Perry, told the Army Times the booing took place on an American Airlines flight from Sacramento to Phoenix.

The flight was delayed and when the captain reportedly requested passengers remain seated to let a "special military family" exit first, Perry said, "...there was some hissing and some booing behind us."

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Perry doesn't recall the captain giving an exact reason for why they were let off first, but he believes some passengers were aware a Gold Star family was on board.

He told KOVR, "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."

Perry, a Marine veteran himself, told KOVR that his son kept the suicide bomber from reaching his target and potentially saved hundreds of lives.

Sgt. Perry will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.