His intentions were right, I just wish he would act on them. Here is what happened yesterday at Denny's:
I needed to get ready for my bake sale this morning (I'm at the computer while the dough is rising), and we just got paid, and there's hardly any food in the house. So I ask my loving husband if we could go out. So thankful we picked Denny's over McDonald's...so tired of a poor-man's greasy burger.
Anyway, I'm sitting across from him and notice that he is fixated on something behind me and he is getting pretty darn angry. I asked him what was wrong and he said that there was an older couple complaining about this woman's children being too loud. So, I asked him if the mother needed help and he said that is what he is waiting for in case she did. He told me not to turn around because he didn't want too much attention drawn to them (or us) but I could hear the children that were mentioned. Sure, they were loud but they weren't really misbehaving. Frankly, I wouldn't have noticed if no one complained. Anyway, we finished and we were heading out the door as the older couple were paying for their food complaining to the cashier of their bad experience at the restaurant. After we got in the truck, my husband was still seething and I had to ask again if the woman needed help (even though it was a little too late at that point). He told me she was about to cry. I feel bad for chewing him out, but that's what I did. I told him that he has always had a sense about situations like this and should have acted on it. I told him that too many people ignore these situations and even though they aren't asking for a hero most of them could really use one. if that poor mother was close to tears, I consider that a case of emotional harassment.
I'm sure my husband just didn't know what to say. He's a Marine. If one of his peers were the offender then he would know exactly what to do...bust the guy's face in. But this was an older couple. I just wish he told me what he saw while we were in the restaurant. In that case, I would just go over and simply explain to the older couple that they have every right to request a table away from any disturbances. Heck, we would even switch with them because it didn't seem like anyone else was bothered by a child simply being a child.
I do love my husband for his heart to protect. I just wish he'd understand that for a woman, the harm has already been done way before the situation gets aggressive. He believes in people standing up for themselves but we don't all have the courage to do that...or the energy. That mom looked pretty tired. This is how bullying starts...by insensitive people.
Another thing is I don't think he believes that strangers should get involved. I get that, because a lot of people get offended that someone would think they needed rescuing when they don't want it at all. My thoughts are, hey so I'm risking someone getting pissed at me for helping. Better risk that than ignore someone who could really use it. I am not afraid of being hated. I'm only afraid of not being there when someone could use the help. 

If I were the mom and the elderly people made sure they were overheard I would have personally said something to them.

In general, though, people don't want to get involved for their own safety. I know your story is about a complaining granny, but there was this show called "What Would You Do" where they would create situations to see how people would react, if they would help the person potentially jeopardizing their safety.

Had your distinctly Marine husband said anything the granny would have gotten embarrassed for being called out and done a number of things, even exaggerated the circumstances. I think it would have been better if YOU had said something to her publicly. 

I'm not saying you're a bad person for not saying something (because you AREN'T), but I wouldn't expect my Marine husband to say something, I would be the one. More emphasis would have been on him, a Marine, telling granny off. 

This is why this granny doesn't eat at Denny's. Or McDonalds. El Cheapo crabby old folks, and kids, lol!

One thing your husband could have done was invite her to your table, just to get her away from them. I bet they'd think twice about ganging up on a young mom if she had other people with her. 

ClinicalDepression, I watch that show all the time. That's what really opened my eyes for signs of bullying and harassment. it made me realize how mean I was as a teenager and never realized it. maybe it's me feeling guilty about my past, but I speak up a lot more now.
it's just that I was unclear of the situation because he said he was keeping an eye on her. 

If a child is disturbing other diners in a restaurant, it's not a kid just being a kid.

Children should not be obnoxious in public. If they can't behave, then they shouldn't be afforded the PRIVILIGE of going out to eat. 

Just like adults. 

The ONE time I vividly remember taking the kids someplace before they thoroughly understood public manners was because my (now ex) MIL showed up unannounced, on my day off, at naptime. Oh, effing joy, joy. Her 80yr. old 3rd husband insisted on going OUT someplace that had soup for lunch, even though I told them I was just putting the kids down for their nap.

OMFG. What a NIGHTMARE. The youngest was maybe 4 months? The middle one (my trouble kid) was not quite two and the oldest was in kindergarten, I was on a limited time frame as I had to be home before she got off the bus. I ordered grilled cheese for the 2 yr old, it took over an HOUR to get it. The babies were tired, cranky and I just wanted to scoop them up and leave but my MIL insisted we stay and wait so her husband could have his soup. WTH? I finally just left them at the restaurant with the excuse I had to meet the school bus.

My (ex) husband got more than an earful when he got home that night. 

shizzle, but they weren't even misbehaving. They were just being loud. All children get a little wild if they have bottled up, driving for a while, or been all day in school. What if my 1-year-old were the offender? She just squeals because she is a baby.