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Nearly a century ago (October 28, 1886) during the unveiling of the "Statue of Liberty Enlightening The World," members of the United States Marine Band stood on the deck of a ship in New York Harbor. "The President's Own" was under the direction of John Philip Sousa during the original statue ceremonies, and the Marines performed for more than a million New Yorkers and visitors who were in attendance.
Last month, during the rededication of what is now called simply, "The Statue of Liberty," the United States Marine Band returned to repeat its 1886 performance. The musicians were under the direction of Col John R. Bourgeois.
Actually, the Marine Band seemingly accomplished the impossible. While seen on TV during the July 4th celebration in New York City, the band was also observed performing at the Friday Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks (8th and "I" Streets, SE) in Washington, D.C.
On the morning of July 4th, the Marine Band was part of the International Naval Review. It was aboard the battleship, USS Iowa. President Ronald Reagan was also aboard the battleship when Iowa served as the official reviewing vessel for the parade of ships. The U.S. Marine Band, after musically rendering honors to the president, then performed a program of international music.
During the Independence Day evening, the Marine Band went aboard the aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy, at which time its members provided music for the International Fireworks Spectacular.
Col Bourgeois conducted an original score composed for the fireworks display. Known as the "International Fireworks Spectacular," the score was composed by Joe Raposo. (Forty 100-foot barges loaded with fireworks surrounded Manhattan, and...