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

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."