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?

I too would stand and salute. I would then ask the person booing to let us know what nationality he/she was. Other passengers might take it up from there.

I would be very pissed, but out of respect for the Fallen One and their family, I would hold my tongue !

WELL, IN DAYS GONE BY ............................ KICK HIS PUNK ASS
SADLY NOW, "SIT DOWN AND SHUT YOUR FUCKING CAKE-HOLE MAGGOT!!!"

I accept and I stand for salute as family passed.

I believe the very response to this question is to reflect over to the honor guards at Arlington, just one “out of line” noise or comment and that soldier is up in your face putting your ass in place where it should be, and if that isn’t enough then that soldier is authorized to do ‘what it takes’. My lord, many soldiers today are like Gumby, flaylling their arms around asking is it ok to go pee and have someone hold it for him. I remember the days when a whimp tried his damndest to be like sgt York but today many want to be like ms. Gillian and hide out on an island to avoid a bee sting. Pack up, Ruck up, and move out.

I would quietly ask if my services could help this family in their time of need.

I figure I'd probably end up in jail for putting an asshole in the hospital. And it would be worth it.

I'm an old man (very rapidly approaching 79 years old this year). I served in the Marine Corps but did not complete boot camp.
People nowadays don't "get" polite subtlety. The pilot's announcement that it was a "special military family" probably went over the heads of many of the passengers. I'm not even sure that many "civilians" even know what a Gold Star family is! Further, and this is no excuse, but it could very well be that the S--- For Brains passenger(s) had a little too much liquid refreshment. I'd still be tempted to educate him or them, but nowadays "rights" - such as freedom of speech - seem to exist without responsibility or expectation of consequences.

Be respectful of the family. Bottom Line: Just sit in your seat.

Don’t know……….the Marine in me would want to grab them by the stacking swivel and junk a knot up their ass, the calmer side of me would pity their ignorance at what is taking place. I have lost many a brother in combat in Vietnam and for me to sit by and watch what would be going on, most likely the calmer person would not prevail.