I was a bit surprised this last Sunday when at the end of the service @ my wife’s church (she’s Catholic, I’m Missouri Synod Lutheran), the Associate Priest (Head Priest was on vacation) not only said a special prayer in thanks to deceased and other US military personnel for their service and sacrifice, then an Elder came out carrying a big US flag in a sort of Honor Guard fashion, the organ began to crank out The Star Spangled Banner (sounded really good!) and we all sang along. Heartily.
The Elder with the flag then stayed up front for the priest to give the closing prayer and Benediction, and then exited slightly in front of the priest exiting (as usual, down the center aisle).
Yes, I had a little bit of a lump in my throat and a slight tear in my eye as our flag exited, passing me. :-)
That sounds really heartwarming. And, as a former organist, I approve of pulling out all the stops, so to speak, on the Star Spangled Banner.