Congressman andy kim in hot water after memorial day flag faux paux

BURLINGTON COUNTY-New Jersey’s newest Democrat Congressman Andy Kim, representing the state’s third congressional district is in hot water today after a flag faux paux on Memorial Day. Kim attended the Memorial Day service at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown, New Jersey.

“I spent time today with veterans in Burlington and Ocean Counties to reflect on the meaning of this holiday,” Kim said of his visit.

The freshman Congressman angered many on social media this weekend when a photo of Kim surfaced showing him being the only person in the picture not properly showing respect for the American flag.

Kim, who worked as a civilian aide to former U.S. Army General David Petraeus has been around the military services enough to understand proper flag etiquette, wasn’t given a pass on his flag faux paux by many.

After all, America’s flag code is dictated by Congress, for which Andy Kim serves.

According to the Congressional rules on flag etiquette, during the rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Kim stood with his hands folded in front of him below his waist. Many felt it was a disrespectful display by a sitting congressman. A photo released shows nearly the entire audience at the ceremony standing at attention, saluting and with their hands over their hearts, except for Kim who stood with his hands folded in front of him while the rest paid their respects.

Andy Kim is an Obama-era political appointee who worked, according to government records, as a note-taker during the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. During Kim’s tenure in Iraq, ISIS experienced its largest and most rapid expansion across the Middle East.

PHOTO: Left to right, Congressman Andy Kim, 3rd District, New Jersey; Brig. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, The Adjutant General of New Jersey; Col. Lisa J. Hou, Deputy Adjutant General; Dr. Mark A. Piterski, New Jersey Assistant Commissioner, Veterans, and Iven Dumas, State Superintendent, Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, render honors during the annual State Memorial Day ceremony at the Cemetery, Wrightstown, N.J., May 25, 2019. (New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Mark C. Olsen)

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Congressman andy kim in hot water after memorial day flag faux paux

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