My parents are JWs.
The SOP was to remain seated quietly during the Anthem and Pledge.
That eventually changed to standing just not reciting the Pledge.
Reasoning was,standing showed RESPECT in spite of religious objection.
That was a loong time ago, I’m not sure if that has since changed
Not sure if that has changed, either. My parents are dyed in the wool J W s also—in their mid eighties and shunning me for leaving the cult in my early 40s. As a kid, we would be excused from the pledge, anthem, birthday, Easter, Xmas and Halloween parties. Spent most of my school year in the library—then 2 hours at night reading at the kingdom hall (church). The premise is that you shouldn’t be loyal to any country but only to God.
IF you attended a public event, the trick was to be seated AFTER the pledge/anthem so as not to draw attention.