Photo Information On New Year’s Day, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band “surprised” 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric Smith and his wife with a musical serenade at in the back yard of the home of the Commandants, the longest continually occupied building in Washington, D.C. Conducted by Director Lieutenant Col. Ryan Nowlin, the Marine Band kicked off the serenade with The Marines’ Hymn followed by John Philip Sousa’s march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The band also performed Sousa’s march “Semper Fidelis,” the official march of the Marine Corps, and “Bless this House,” by Helen Taylor and May Brahe. The song featured vocalist Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis on a lush melody with lyrics meant to bless the home and its residents.