A number of years ago, at a Mardi Gras parade, one of the Marine Corps marching bands, after playing Stars and Stripes Forever, probably one of the most difficult to march to, was in a parade break.
Got to talking to the OIC of the detail, just military BS, and I asked him, when they resumed, if they would do one of the older gentlemen with us, a Marine not currently on active duty(there is no such thing as an ex-marine), 70 years old, a favor and step off with the hymn.
His eyes lit up, he snapped to attention, marched to the front of the detail, and in a booming voice said "SARGEANT MAJOR" "Sir?" "The hymn, if you please" "YES SIR!" The band immediately came to attention, and played the hymn right there, and did not move until they finished the last bar.
As they marched off, I looked at my old friend, and there were tears in his eyes.