When he was 13 his father enlisted him in the Marines as a musical apprentice to keep him from running away to join a circus band. He began his musical studies at the age of 6 studying voice, violin, piano, flute, cornet, baritone, trombone and alto horn. His father was born in Spain of Portuguese parents and his mother was born in Bavaria. He is a true product of the American melting pot, a child of immigrant parents. John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. He is known as the father of organized trapshooting in America. In addition to his famous marches he also composed operettas ten operas a number of suites The Last Crusade for orchestra, choir and organ, considered his major work wrote three novels a full-length autobiography and was an avid trapshooter. Sousa was a man of many talents and was very prolific. Other popular pieces composed by Sousa include Semper Fidelis (the Marine Corps march), The High School Cadets, King Cotton, El Capitan, Liberty Bell, Manhattan Beach, The Thunderer, Washington Post and many others. It was also the last piece he conducted the day before his death. It was composed during a voyage home after a tour of Europe and was reported in his obituary as one of his favorites. As popular as this tune is, it is only one of over 300 musical works composed by Sousa and only a third of those works were marches. I challenge anyone to listen to it and not feel a lump in the throat, a tear in the eye, or goose bumps on the arms. The Stars and Stripes Forever is not only one of the most recognizable marches of all time but is the official march of the United States and one of the most popular marches by John Philip Sousa. Following the flag is a band most likely playing The Stars and Stripes Forever. Old Glory and its honor guard lead the parade with the stars and stripes fluttering in the breeze. Perhaps nothing expresses patriotism more than a parade-an Independence Day parade to be more specific.