Passengers Boo Gold Star Family Of Slain Stockton Soldier Over Flight Delay

SACRAMENTO (KPIX 5) -- A grieving Gold Star family of a Stockton soldier who lost his life in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan were even further saddened by some impatient fellow airline passengers.

The memorial service for slain Sergeant John Perry was held in Lodi last Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Perry's parents and sister traveled to the East Coast to receive his remains.

Due to a delay, the crew was worried the Perrys would miss their connecting flight in Phoenix so when they landed, the captain asked everyone to stay seated and let a "special military family" exit first.

The request prompted a chorus of boos from some people sitting in first class.

"And 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," said the soldiers father, Stewart Perry. "It made us cry some more."

As it turned out, the Perrys did make their connection, and the pilot stayed at the gate to make sure.

They eventually reached Dover Air Force Base.

Sergeant Perry will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.