A busy airport is rarely hospitable, especially at this time of year, but the holidays can bring out the best in us. That might explain why the travelers in one busy airport stopped the mad rush long enough to sing the national anthem to a group of children of fallen service members. The scene, which must have seemed surreal, is worth a look.

The kids (above at the send off in LA) were passing through the airport in Nashville on their way to Disney World with Gary Sinise’s “Snowball Express.” As they were waiting to board their flight, an announcer called for them to board. The message over the loudspeaker was heard by many in the terminal, and the kids dutifully lined up for their flight.

That’s when the singing started. The other travelers sang The Star Spangled Banner as soldiers stood saluting the kids.

Jen Tringale posted the video to her Facebook page. “I witnessed an international airport come to a complete stop today,” she noted.

“At the Nashville airport I walked out into the concourse to this scene.”

American Airlines, Triangale added, “was flying a plane full of children who had lost a parent in combat to Disneyworld on an all expenses paid trip and they threw a party for them at the gate.”

“But when they announced them over the loud speaker and they lined up to board the plane the whole airport literally stopped and sang the national anthem with military present in salute.”

“Most every person standing around, myself included was bawling at the sight of these kids and spouses who have paid so great a price for our country.”

“To see all of this at Christmas time was so humbling. Seeing the general public in an airport stand still to honor these kids was simply beautiful.”

That beauty and respect clearly resonates in the video, as does the sad reality that such a group exists. We rarely think about the children that are left behind, much less the children who have their lives forever changed by their parent’s sacrifice.