Today marks the 161st birthday of Capitol Hill’s favorite son, John Philip Sousa. It was an event that neither Congressional Cemetery, where he is laid to rest, nor the Marine Band, with whom he first achieved fame, were likely to miss out on. (all pictures RSP)
The cemetery, for whom it marks the end of another extremely successful year, took the opportunity to pass out a number of awards to worthy volunteers.
The assembled – large – crowd was regaled with some of his stories by John Philip Sousa himself, who doesn’t look (according to his wife) a day over 141.
The Marines, who have been making this pilgrimage yearly for almost 50 years, are there to pay homage to their former leader.
A spirited rendition of the Star Spangled Banner accompanied the presentation of the colors.
Part of the ceremony: A wreathlaying at Sousa’s grave.
A final march, and the Marine Band was on their way again.
The gorgeous fall day reflected in Sousa’s eponymous instrument.
And with that, it remained only to have some of Sousa’s birthday cake (which the band apparently had to foreswear) If you didn’t make it this year, you know exactly where to go next year.