I have done some more research re Sousa and Virginia Tech.  It is an amazing story.  The first VPI cadet band was organized about 1892, yet by the early 20th century they were playing at various expositions which were all the rage at that time.  They traveled to the Columbian Exposition in Buffalo NY in 1901 where they performed Sousa's The Thunderer.  He was so impressed with them, that he dedicated his latest march to the band, and that was Hands Across the Sea.  Today, in this time of mourning by all of us for the tragedy at Tech, I think the dedication and the name of the march were prophetic, and give it a special meaning in contemopary musical performances.