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 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.