Before The Star Spangled Banner and after God Bless America there was some music. It sounded like something that would be played for the Roman Legions. What is that tune, and who composed it?
Not having heard the music, based on “music for Roman legions”, I have two guesses:
Aaron Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man.
Midi file.
http://www.classicalmidiconnection.com/cgibin/x.cgi/midi/n1/fanfare.mid
'Zat it?
If not, then try “Mars” from Holst’s “The Planets”.
Midi file.
http://www.pixeldreams.com/planets_56kd.html
The closing music was indeed Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, precisely commissioned in the first place to honor all who participated in WW2 (as soldiers or taxpayers!).
I think what **Johnny L.A. ** heard was music by John Phillip Sousa. I know I heard Sousa played when the color guard marched in. I think it was “The Washington Post March.”
Check here.
It’s definitely not Fanfare for the Common Man, a tune with which I am familiar.
I listened to Mars, and that’s not it either; nor is it The Washington Post March.
This is the music that played just before The Star Spangled Banner. They played it again after America the Beautiful.
It’s very difficult to post a tune in text, but it went something like this:
Baaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh
Bah-bah bah BAH bah
Bah bah BAH bah…
I got a flash of “Mr. Peabody and Sherman”, but it’s been so long that I don’t remember if that was it.
I listened to all of the clips in silenus’s link, and I didn’t hear it. (Not all of Sousa’s works are available as audio.)
Okay, now I get it – what Johnny is referring to is the music that is played during the “Retreat of the Colors”, when the flag-bearers are marching out. Anyone know what THAT piece is?
OK. Got the tune in my head. I know exactly which one it is…I just don’t remember the name. The problem is that the part you "Bah"ed is just a small part of the whole march. I am fairly certain it was Sousa, though. Off to listen to all of my collection until I find this tune!!! 
Here’e the site that will help you out: Name This Tune.
Whistle a tune into your computer’s microphone and this site will attempt to identify it. If the tune is in their database and you’re at least moderately musical, they’ll find it.
**What’s that music at the WWII Memorial dedication? **
I recall a medley that included the “Victory at Sea” music?
I’m gonna put out a WAG here, and say that what we heard was from the center part of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Everybody knows the end part, but it is quite a bit longer than that, and I am pretty sure it includes Johnny’s section.
Nope. What they play doesn’t sound like any part of Stars and Stripes Forever.
Satyagrahi: I haven’t got a microphone.
Let me try this. On a guitar, and with the lowest-tone string being called the 1st string. (I can never remember if the strings are numbered highest-1st or lowest-1st, so I’m calling the low E-string 1st):
G (1st string, 4th fret, about six beats)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
G (4th string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
A (2nd string, 1st fret)
G (4th string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
A (2nd string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
G (1st string, 4th fret, about six beats)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
G (4th string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
A (2nd string, 1st fret)
G (4th string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
C (2nd string, 3rd fret)
A (2nd string, 1st fret)
D (3rd string, 1st fret)
And then there’s a bit that sounds similar (but isn’t) the melody to Polonius’s Advice to Laertes they used in the “Musical Hamlet” bit on Gilligan’s Island. “There’s just one other thing / You have to do…” That part sounds similar, but it’s not the same.
“National Emblem” - Bagley, second half. Starts at 1:44 in the MP3 linked to on this page (track 13): http://www.usmc.mil/band/m_bandcd.nsf/MorningColorsMusic?OpenView
Oh, and obviously “National Emblem” = flag. You’ll note the music was played for the presentation and retiring of the colors. The first part of the piece includes a quote from the national anthem.
rowrrbazzle: That’s it! Thanks!
(It does sound like a medley.)