Delta Apologizes for Hushing National Anthem

Delta Air Lines has joined the national anthem controversy.

According to Atlanta's FOX 5, the airline has apologized to a Georgia woman after a flight attendant prevented her and other passengers from singing the Star-Spangled Banner on a flight carrying the body of a special forces soldier killed in Niger earlier this month.

Pamela Dee Gaudry, the wife of a deceased Army captain, asked passengers to join her in singing the anthem as a tribute to 29-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Dusting Wright.

"I thought it would be so amazing if we sang as they were getting off," she told FOX 5. "It's a great honor to the boy's parents, wife and perhaps children."

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However, Gaudry said the chief flight attendant informed her that singing the national anthem would violate the airline's policy. Instead, crew members told everyone to remain seated and to be quiet.

"I'm humiliated by my lack of courage to sing the national anthem in my own country on American soil, with a deceased soldier on the plane. I wish I could have been an example for my children," Gaudry said. "I’m glad my former husband is deceased because he would have been profoundly disappointed in me."

A Facebook post by Pamela Dee Gaudry detailing the incident upon landing at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was shared over the weekend.

Delta has since reached out to her and apologized.

"Evidently, they had a flight attendant that made some bad decisions in trying to make this situation go away. They are going to do some training for the future," she said. "Delta was very reverent and let the honor guards do a wonderful thing to honor each and every soldier that comes home with this beautiful tribute. For just this reason, I personally do not believe in a boycott of Delta."

It's certainly not the first time the airline has been called out for questionable staff decisions.

"Delta has apologized to me. Profusely. I accept. Like many things in life...it should have been handled differently. I am not throwing any stones," added Gaudry.

READ MORE: Flight Attendant’s Note Comforts Grieving Passenger

Earlier this month, an official at Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport unsuccessfully filed a motion to protest NFL-related flights until the league requires players to stand during the national anthem.

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