Marine Band Celebrates Sousa Birthday

November 6, 2011: Every year, the "President's Own" Marine Band lays a wreath at the grave of John Philip Sousa, its most famous director. It's an easy way to hear the band and, apart from the Star Spangled Banner, the program is all Sousa!

The band director (r) awaits the band; the drum major confers in advance (below):

Commandant of the Marine Corps and Mrs. James F. Amos seated with the official Sousa reenactor:


An unofficial Sousa reenactor haunts the proceedings (l); the official Sousa reenactor haunts the grave (below):


















Congressional Cemetery was the national burying place before Arlington National Cemetery.

Among the many historic graves are a soldier of the Revolutionary War (l), the Civil War photographer Mathew Brady and members of the Indian Nations:





















The grave of Elbridge Gerry (r), who signed the Declaration of Independence, served as the fifth Vice President of the United States and is the namesake for gerrymandering:

The grave of Commerce Secretary Bob Mosbacher (r): HE CARED.
















Congressional Cemetery is a favorite burial ground for gay notables and couples:

J. Edgar Hoover and his boyfriend Clyde Tolson share a row with gay veteran Leonard Matlovich, "They gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."