Sousa's grave honoring his time as Marine Corps Band director.
We're quickly discovering a number of interesting things hidden around Capitol Hill. One of the more fascinating features is the Congressional Cemetery. It serves, obviously, as a place of remembrance, but also, a dog park (more on that on a future date). Congressional Cemetery is the resting place of several members of Congress who died in office before the days of embalming. At that time, it was difficult to return the body to his or her (although I'm sure it's almost exclusively his over that period of time) home state. There are also a few famous folks who were born and raised in Capitol Hill - most famously J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI, and John Philip Sousa.
Also, located on Capitol Hill is the Marine Barracks which is the home to The President's Own Marine Corps Band. Every year, to honor Sousa's birthday the band comes to his grave-site to play a few of his tunes. It was a surprisingly moving, patriotic experience.
Sousa impersonator starting the event.
Here comes the band.
"The Stars and Stripes Forever"
Kathryn and the Drum Major. A very tall man with an exceptionally tall hat.
James F. Amos was the honored guest - Four Star General, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
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