Posted on Nov 19, 2016
How would you react if you were on a flight where a family was boo'd for being allowed off the plane first to receive their soldier's body?
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What would you do, if a passenger in first class "boo'd" a Gold Star family for being allowed to leave the aircraft first to receive their fallen son/daughter in the military?
Posted in these groups: 
Gold Star Families
Disrespect
Customs and Courtesies
Fallen Soldiers
Military bearing
Gold Star Families Disrespect Customs and Courtesies Fallen Soldiers Military bearing
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 1152
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Probably something simple like "hey, assholes. Shut the fuck up"! Pointless to make any attempt to lecture.
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MAJ Ron Peery
1st Lt Richard Gauthier - Perhaps a better response than mine. But the satisfaction of inflicting pain on a self important snotbubble who has never served anyone but himself or herself is tempting.
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PO3 Carol Coring
That would not Teach them much about respecting our military service. I think a stern but respectful lecture would best influence their future behavior.
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SGT M C
WHat can you say or do that would be effective in any way. THis is the new last 2 or so cohotrts of twerps, weak kneed, spoiled entitlment brats that have been raised or rather not raised by parents of equal ilk. I am afraid gentlemen that we are lost and it will only come as a change through an evolutionary educational process if at all . THe more important question is, do we even have the time in any event. THat slurping teeth knashing sound you hear are the enemies of this country or even those that will swing in the wind to the strongest regardless of their political system Nations are cowards too remember, that's how we got sucked into the two WW's. "Peace in our time" yeah right!
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I would calmly and quietly administer a wall-to-wall counseling to the individual and then stand and salute as the family passed by. Semper Fidelis.
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Sgt Mervyn Russell
I was in the Marines from 66' to 69' I am a Vietnam Veteran. I've seen a bunch of body bags. It's the sign of the times. (Read 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 through Five.) It will explain the moral issues of today's man. No respect for anything or anyone. As for the dead they will rise again.
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CPT (Join to see)
Sgt Mervyn Russell -
3
1. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3. heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4. treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5. having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
STAND BY FOLKS ! The Fat Lady is warming up.
3
1. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3. heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4. treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5. having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
STAND BY FOLKS ! The Fat Lady is warming up.
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Suspended Profile
Sorry Funny, wall-to-wall counseling is a privilege reserved for military personnel only.
Suspended Profile
SFC Kevin Childers damn spell check
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If I knew they were gold star, I would have given them my seat in first class and saluted as they passed. Maybe that's just me. Booing shows no class.
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SPC Chris Ison
PFC Elton Crawford - Yes me too, Desert Storm, Operation Southern watch, Operation Restore hope and Operation Iraqi Freedom II, where i earned the Combat Action Badge as a cavalry scout.
You could look at a profile to find out what is going on with an individual on this forum before you go embarrassing yourself.
You could look at a profile to find out what is going on with an individual on this forum before you go embarrassing yourself.
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PFC Elton Crawford
SPC Chris Ison - I saw what you put there...Lets see your DD214, you look more like the creative writing type. Only one should be embarrassed is you with all that verbal vomit you keep spewing. Your a real bad ass at the end of that key board aren't ya
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I saw this story a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't believe it - so I didn't. I chased down the details of it and got an entirely different picture.
The Perry family was flying from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ, ultimately traveling to Dover to meet their Fallen Warrior. For totally unrelated reasons, the 1hr 45min flight was 45min late taking off.
First piece of missing key info: Everyone on board was already a little bit tense because they were late and might miss connecting flights, et al.
When the aircraft landed in Phoenix, the Captain asked that everyone remain seated while a "special Military Family" exited the aircraft (he didn't identify them as a Gold Star Family).
Second key piece of missing info: The Perrys were not identified as a Gold Star Family.
My conclusion, the passenger(s) being vilified here were...
1: Unaware the Perrys were a Gold Star Family and therefore can't be criticized for being disrespectful to them or their loss.
2: In light of the fact that the flight was already 45 min. late, it's understandable people might be a little tense and given to some kind of exasperated utterance when asked to wait even a couple of minutes longer.
I'm confident that if the other passengers had known they were being asked to wait another moment or two for a Gold Star Family to deplane, they would have respectfully waited.
What grieves me is that this not-completely-accurate aspect of the situation is being posted and repeated, while American Airlines and its employees are not given credit for what they did to ensure this Family arrived at their destination ASAP. Not only did AA get them to their destination as quickly as possible, the Captain of their connecting flight leaving from Phoenix delayed his departure 40 min. for them. That's the real story!
The Perry family was flying from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, AZ, ultimately traveling to Dover to meet their Fallen Warrior. For totally unrelated reasons, the 1hr 45min flight was 45min late taking off.
First piece of missing key info: Everyone on board was already a little bit tense because they were late and might miss connecting flights, et al.
When the aircraft landed in Phoenix, the Captain asked that everyone remain seated while a "special Military Family" exited the aircraft (he didn't identify them as a Gold Star Family).
Second key piece of missing info: The Perrys were not identified as a Gold Star Family.
My conclusion, the passenger(s) being vilified here were...
1: Unaware the Perrys were a Gold Star Family and therefore can't be criticized for being disrespectful to them or their loss.
2: In light of the fact that the flight was already 45 min. late, it's understandable people might be a little tense and given to some kind of exasperated utterance when asked to wait even a couple of minutes longer.
I'm confident that if the other passengers had known they were being asked to wait another moment or two for a Gold Star Family to deplane, they would have respectfully waited.
What grieves me is that this not-completely-accurate aspect of the situation is being posted and repeated, while American Airlines and its employees are not given credit for what they did to ensure this Family arrived at their destination ASAP. Not only did AA get them to their destination as quickly as possible, the Captain of their connecting flight leaving from Phoenix delayed his departure 40 min. for them. That's the real story!
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Sgt Bob Leonard
PO3 JamiSue Moore -
PO3 JamiSue Moore,
I learned the meaning of the Gold and Silver Stars from my parents and uncles and other family members. I didn’t learn about it in school. If that kind of information and knowledge doesn’t get passed from one generation to the next, it’s not the school’s fault.
PO3 JamiSue Moore,
I learned the meaning of the Gold and Silver Stars from my parents and uncles and other family members. I didn’t learn about it in school. If that kind of information and knowledge doesn’t get passed from one generation to the next, it’s not the school’s fault.
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SPC Matthew Nicholson
The fact that thus family was identified as a "Special Military Family " should suffice for the remaining passengers to be respectful nit not be assholes. But it is also disrespectful to the Military Family to get into any firm of arguments about the situation with the ignorant passengers.
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SP5 Larry Boggs
My first response was anger over the disrespect Thank you for investigating and producing useful information If only more of us did that maybe we would have the divide we unfortunately now have in our great country
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I personally think a lot of this was because it wasn't made clear to the passengers exactly why this was a "special military family". I imagine the irate travelers would be horrified if they knew exactly what had happened to the family that they were booing.
When I was 15 years old I lost my older brother in an accident. I missed several days of school to travel and attend his funeral.
The first day back in one of my classes I had a classmate ( actually a friend) go on and on rather loudly about me being a slacker and goofing off and missing school. My teacher quietly came up and told him I had lost my brother.
I will never forget the look of absolute shame on his face when he realized what had happened. I quickly made it a point to talk to him and tell him that I knew he meant nothing by it.
When I was 15 years old I lost my older brother in an accident. I missed several days of school to travel and attend his funeral.
The first day back in one of my classes I had a classmate ( actually a friend) go on and on rather loudly about me being a slacker and goofing off and missing school. My teacher quietly came up and told him I had lost my brother.
I will never forget the look of absolute shame on his face when he realized what had happened. I quickly made it a point to talk to him and tell him that I knew he meant nothing by it.
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LCpl Michael Cappello
SGT Beth Day - So. The passengers on the plane were not told that the family being deplaned first were a Gold Star Family receiving the body of a soldier? I find that hard to believe. Not knowing about the whole Gold Star thing would be forgivable if the whole Gold Star thing was something new. It goes all the way back to WW II.
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SGT Beth Day
LCpl Michael Cappello - Judging on our colleague's research, I think that's EXACTLY what happened. The phrase "Special Military Family" was used in lieu of "Gold Star Family". The passengers did NOT know this was a Gold Star Family.
And I never said civilians shouldn't/wouldn't know what "Gold Star" meant. I said they would not necessarily equate "Special Military Family" with "Gold Star Family".
Since you're referencing the history of "Gold Star", you might note use of the "Gold Star" started with our involvement in World War I in 1917, not World War II. Families with those serving hung flags with Blue Stars. If one died in combat the family changed it to a Gold Star. Gold Star mothers incorporated in 1928.
And to reiterate, I'm not condoning any "booing". But like Sgt. Leonard above, I'm irritated the whole story is not being told ... and it's done specifically to stir up trouble. And it worked here on Rally Point for sure.
And I never said civilians shouldn't/wouldn't know what "Gold Star" meant. I said they would not necessarily equate "Special Military Family" with "Gold Star Family".
Since you're referencing the history of "Gold Star", you might note use of the "Gold Star" started with our involvement in World War I in 1917, not World War II. Families with those serving hung flags with Blue Stars. If one died in combat the family changed it to a Gold Star. Gold Star mothers incorporated in 1928.
And to reiterate, I'm not condoning any "booing". But like Sgt. Leonard above, I'm irritated the whole story is not being told ... and it's done specifically to stir up trouble. And it worked here on Rally Point for sure.
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LCpl Michael Cappello
SGT Beth Day -Sorry. I knew that the "Gold Star" dated back to ww I. I referenced WW II because I do not believe many people are familiar with WW I.
One of the things which concern me most is the current trend of people to "Virtue Signal" by thanking us for our service while simultaneously showing a tremendous lack of respect for the military. The way this article was presented HERE is what I responded to. I was NOT present when this situation happened but, I have been present for many other incidents which showed total disrespect for our military and our military members and FAMILIES. I DO NOT and WILL NOT condone nor allow that. We even have members of our own government who are guilty of this. For some odd reason they seem to be mostly LIBERALS and Progressives. I wonder why that is?
One of the things which concern me most is the current trend of people to "Virtue Signal" by thanking us for our service while simultaneously showing a tremendous lack of respect for the military. The way this article was presented HERE is what I responded to. I was NOT present when this situation happened but, I have been present for many other incidents which showed total disrespect for our military and our military members and FAMILIES. I DO NOT and WILL NOT condone nor allow that. We even have members of our own government who are guilty of this. For some odd reason they seem to be mostly LIBERALS and Progressives. I wonder why that is?
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SGT Beth Day
LCpl Michael Cappello - I would answer by saying that some who are disrespecting our military are also conservatives -- Look at the senator who is holding up all the officer promotions. I get he doesn't like a certain military policy. But those officers don't MAKE that policy. However, there there is no doubt he is affecting military readiness, which I consider to be the height of disrespect.
And, I'd also like to point out, many people in the military are both liberal AND conservative. I would say that a large part of our problem is exactly what has happened here ... stereotyping. People can be liberal and still respect, and be part of, the military. People can also be conservative and avoid military service and/or not respect the military.
And, I'll go back to my first example. Not all conservatives agree with that particular Alabama senator. So, it would be totally unfair of me to tar all conservatives with the same "disrespect" brush. I would put forth it's also unfair of you to tar all liberals. Do some liberals disrespect the military? Indeed they do. But so do some conservatives.
Food for thought.
And, I'd also like to point out, many people in the military are both liberal AND conservative. I would say that a large part of our problem is exactly what has happened here ... stereotyping. People can be liberal and still respect, and be part of, the military. People can also be conservative and avoid military service and/or not respect the military.
And, I'll go back to my first example. Not all conservatives agree with that particular Alabama senator. So, it would be totally unfair of me to tar all conservatives with the same "disrespect" brush. I would put forth it's also unfair of you to tar all liberals. Do some liberals disrespect the military? Indeed they do. But so do some conservatives.
Food for thought.
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I would calmly explain to them exactly what they're booing. Maybe they didn't know. If that didn't work, I would explain that I was a veteran, that that was my brother or sister in the hold, and that if they didn't sit down and be quiet, I would be perfectly willing to accept the consequences for what happens next. And, I would.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
CPL Glynnda White
Too few Americans have spent too little time in a Synagogue.
You might find it far more "enlightening" than the combination of Paris Island Boot Camp & a 4 year Ivy Degree.
Don't just take my word, ask a few.
LOL !
Too few Americans have spent too little time in a Synagogue.
You might find it far more "enlightening" than the combination of Paris Island Boot Camp & a 4 year Ivy Degree.
Don't just take my word, ask a few.
LOL !
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SPC Matthew Nicholson
Wrong! Do not engage thus kind of behavior aggressively. That is in my opinion even more disrespectful of the Military Family. Speak your mind, yes, but it would be wrong to get aggressively when the Family is grieving.
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I'm not sure. I would imagine I'd administer some much needed chastisement to whatever asshat is in desperate need in an education on manners and common courtesy. As I don't look good in prison orange or horizontal stripes, I would have to come up with some witty comments vs the physical beat down they deserve.
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SPC Bobby Morton
I don't think a jury would convict you, knowing the circumstances... A D.A. might not even take it to trial.
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PO2 Clotilde Szelkowski
MSgt Paul Connors - That would be about my luck! But I might just take the chance under the circumstances.
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SSG Marna Porter
After reading the question, I, too had to ponder for a moment what my response would have been, and it appears that we are of the exact same mindset, even to the point of considering the consequences of our actions (possible prison). You just said it first. Thank you!
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PO2 Clotilde Szelkowski
I, too, have no tolerance whatsoever for disrespect to our fallen warriors. "He's not heavy, he's my brother" has more meaning to those of us who have signed that blank check.
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SSG Richard (Rick) Dana
Like how we got spit on coming home in uniform!
Welcome Home and a big Thanks for your service Capt. Waddell!
Welcome Home and a big Thanks for your service Capt. Waddell!
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SGT William (Bill) Ryan
Chances are that most wouldn't remember or know what the soap in the sock meant......
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PO2 Clotilde Szelkowski
SGT William (Bill) Ryan - That's probably true. Our military became a bunch of sissies a while ago. Here's hoping that they have toughened up again finally
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SSgt Catherine Segovia
PO2 Clotilde Szelkowski - They really are sissies now, it has gotten worse. Now there is a transgender VA clinic in Tucson. What a bunch of whimps some of the military personnel have become. Don’t even know what sex they are.
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I would worn them, and if they persisted, chokehold and except the consequences.
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