Grimm, who is a Marine combat veteran and a former FBI agent, asked for a meeting with the pair. He released a statement Monday noting that his request had been ignored.

Grimm wanted to meet with the children, congratulate them for their hard work and present them with a copy of a book by Lee Greenwood, the man behind “God Bless the USA.”

“It is unfortunate that the principal of PS. 90 fails to see the value in sharing a song or a story about American patriotism,” Grimm said. “As a Marine combat veteran, a former FBI agent and a member of Congress, I have dedicated my life to serving this country and defending our flag. These are experiences I had hoped to share with the students of P.O. 90.”