Mich. man burns N.J. flag over Houston tribute

An American flag flies at half-staff in front of the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts in East Orange, N.J., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. / AP Photo/Mel Evans

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The father of a Michigan man killed while serving in Iraq was outraged when he heard that flags in New Jersey were being flown at half-staff for the death of Whitney Houston.

John Burri, of Kalamazoo, decided to burn the New Jersey state flag on his outdoor grill in protest.

Burri's son, Army Specialist Eric T. Burri, died in 2005 when his patrol in Iraq was attacked with an IED. In June of that year Gov. Granholm ordered U.S. flags in the state lowered in his honor.

Burri said that he believes the lowering of flags should be reserved for those who have given their lives for their country.

"Maybe it's a little drastic, I know that's a little extreme," Burri told WINS reporter Glenn Schuck. "But I'm sorry, this is how much it hurts. This is how much of a slap in the face it is to all that have served and given their life."

45 Photos

Whitney Houston memorial

[ahsooncome]

His son got killed in Iraq because he flew over 6,000 miles to a country he had no business being in with the sole purpose of killing whoever the government told him was the enemy.Come on folks none of those guys had a problem with anyone in Iraq until the U.S government decided that they were now the enemy.Yes i know they signed a contract when they joined the military but if you jump just because the army or marines say jump you are brainwashed.I'll be damned if i'll cheer troops coming back home after killing men,women and children in their own country.Whitney Houston has brought and continues to bring more comfort and joy to millions of people all over the world including people in Iraq than any american bomb or soldier ever will.So what if she used crack or whatever drugs she took.Did she insult you or your family or steal from you? I am a veteran but they couldn't get me to go Iraq or any foreign country they conveniently call the enemy.The only country that ever attacked the U.S is Japan and today we are kissing their butts.Now North Korea is the enemy or is it Iran or Syria or Libya...you know thanks to our government i have lost track.I say lower the flags at half mast coast to coast for Whitney Houston because she didn't kill anyone for her accomplishments.

[Mr-Drivel]

Lowering the flag to half staff should be reserved only for those who perish as a result of public duty and service, protecting our nation and the Constitution, and for those who served as formal leaders and dignitaries. Rifle salutes, aircraft flyovers, and half-staffed flags are among those honors and they should not be on the public menu. www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

[Vette27]

So if I don't agree with a states policies or actions I just burn their flag for attention and to show how angry I am? Is this how we act now in this country now? You did not prove anything just that you don't think before you act and that you have no respect for another state in the country that where you live.

Yes you suffered a great loss and yes the order to lower the flag was premature and also done without thought. Does two wrongs in my opinion make a right? Maybe I should go buy a Michigan Flag and oh wait that would be wrong... Did you see what I did there? I used my brain before I did something stupid.

I will be quiet now while you enjoy your 5 minutes, go ahead, continue.

[jwinecoff]

when dale earnhardt died a few yrs ago, flag was at 1/2 staff at DEI, dont remember flags in Kannapolis being that way

[BlahHead818]

I don't understand how this man's son dying in war is Whitney Houston's fault. Just because she did drugs doesn't take away all the great things she did for the men & women who serve our country. These people sign up knowing they can lose their lives, just because their funerals aren't televised doesn't mean America doesn't care. If anyone should feel bad the man who burned the flag should. What kind of message does that send? "I'm so proud my son served this country, I'm going to burn a flag representing one of its states?" SMH.

[jwinecoff]

go back and read his comment, didnt say it was her fault, was the towns or states fault that right has been reserved for police men firefighters and public service, that dont count singing as public service

[BlahHead818]

I feel like people are disregarding the fact that Whitney Houston performed at several welcome home tributes for the U.S. military and donated all the proceeds from her version of the Star Spangled Banner for the Persian Gulf War & 9/11. Nearly everyone in the entertainment business did drugs or were exposed to them, you can't take away the legacy and gift this woman gave to the world based on her one downfall. Shame on you all. And I also don't remember this many people feeling so strongly about the military & army until now.

[jwinecoff]

they ve always felt this way people just didnt listen till now

[dylan_89]

most people may agree with the flag being lowered to half mast as for me I agree with this man 100%. I am tired of reading the news and seeing more things about celebrities then we do about the men and women who die for this country. Without them there would be no United States. They give everything for this country and are discarded like yesterdays garbage. It's sickening. All this crap that she was an American hero is just that, crap. What did she really do to move this country forward? Absolutely nothing. She was a singer, although talented, she was nothing more than that. If it were up to me and many others of my brothers in arms the flag would remain at half staff till all our men and women serving overseas were home. The fact that we give more publicity to the rich and famous than we do to the people who die for this country just goes to show you how screwed up this country's priorities at this day in time.

[REIKO10458]

What people tend to forget and theirs proof of videos on youtube throughout her career Whitney has contributed to fallen soldiers more than any singer/celebrity in history. She has always given money, free concerts, and all and like I said there are videos of this on youtube I HAVE SEEN THEM! so to say that she has made n contribution to this country is ********. Music is the best free medicine in the world and she has healed so many people mentally with music THAT WAS HER CONTRIBUTION! Whitney has always uplifted the military whether fallen or not and now that shes gone these lil ******* wanna complain because her home state ants to HONOR her for just a freakin day by lowering their state flag at half staff, and dont give me ******** about drug use because military members are the biggest drug users of them all mostly after military discharge! Whitney may have lost her voice due to drugs but she was not the typical drug user She still took care of her **** and was not dependent upon anyone, She still paid her taxes, maintained a home, and raised her daughter THATS WHATS IMPORTANT!

[jwinecoff]

yes lots of military use druga after discharge, but whitney didnt go thru what they went thru, didnt have injuries or illnesses, to use drugs,so to say that the military are drugs users maybe but they have a good reason, what does she have stress and toomuch money

[buckeyeirons]

I am just sick of listening to and reading comments and remarks and opinions about serving in the military, largely made by people who did not serve at all. I think military service should be mandatory as it is in some countries. I am proudly a US Navy veteran. Our rights and choices allow us to raise or lower a flag in honor of anyone we choose.........to burn (desecrate) a flag because you don't agree is akin to a treasonous act to me. It is completely contradictory to what our flag stands for.

[erpicferl]

if this guy was a real father he would have talked his son out of joining an organization sending men and women to die for corporate profits.

[ladyang]

Wait, let me get this straight, Some loser in MI is upset that NJ lowered it's state's flags. What a Load!

[askagain]

Yes, this man lost his son. You show great empathy!