The history of “Taps” goes back to the Civil War when Union General David Butterfield revised an earlier bugle-call to make it “more melodic.” The first time it was used at a military funeral was in July 1862 to honor a Union cannoneer that was killed. It’s twenty-four notes, mournful yet dignified and has been an official part of military funerals since the late 19th century. Master Sergeant Leamon “Lee” Hirtle knows the tune well… he’s played it over 7,000 times at military funerals all over New England and at Arlington National Cemetery. Depending on the situation, he may also assist with the honor guard. He’s fully familiar with the ceremony.

Hirtle started his military career with the US Army in April 1977and served active duty until August 1977. He then served in the Army reserve from 1977 to1979, then on to the Air National Guard from 1979 to 1997 completing 20 years of service. He also spent time at Ft. McClellan training to be an MP, Military Police.

As an MP in the Air National Guard, he was called for duty on several occasions, during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm – the Gulf War. At that time Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth NH was in the process of closing-down, so many personnel had already departed. But with a war going on, the field was needed by the Air Force – and where there are military aircraft on the ground, they must be protected from sabotage or vandalism. As an MP, Hirtle was called up to Pease to help protect US assets on the ground. Hirtle noted, “Among others, we had 24 A-10 Warthog aircraft sitting on the ground, all fueled up with bombs attached. That’s not something you leave unprotected out in the open.”

Hirtle also mention that he was called to duty at Pease AFB on occasion when President George H.W. Bush would fly in on his way to his summer home in Kennebunkport, ME. From Pease, it is only a little over 30 miles to Kennebunkport. Hirtle recalled, “Most people don’t get to see behind the scene but it’s quite a circus to see the president travel with so many cars, Secret Service people and a whole entourage. We all had to be prepared for anything.”

Leamon Hirtle was born in MA. He went to college and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering. And in addition to serving in our nation’s military, Hirtle has had a 24-year career in law enforcement, first with the Concord, NH Police Dept. and then with the NH State Police, a long way from Mechanical Engineering!

Asked if he had ever gotten into a tight situation as a police officer Hirtle responded, “I was with the Concord Police, in a cruiser (Hirtle used both cruisers and motorcycles in both departments) when I responded to a domestic disturbance. Police officers all know that a domestic can be one of the most dangerous calls. Tensions are high, the participants are usually distraught and highly emotional or aggravated and many times drugs or alcohol are involved. I pulled up to the scene, stepped out of my cruiser, and without warning, a suspect let loose with a shotgun aimed right at me. The shooter was only 149 feet away. The blast was enough to knock me over. Fortunately, I was wearing a vest, and I am here to tell about it.”

Hirtle has won a number of awards over the years. His first was when he was only 16 years old. Hirtle tells the story: “I was ice skating on a pond and a guy was ice fishing nearby. Suddenly, the ice under the fisherman gave way and down he went. I rushed over to help. I could not get him out, but was able to hold him up for a few moments until more help arrived. For that I received an award from my DeMolay group.”  (Author’s Note: DeMolay is a youth leadership program with Masonic origins for young men ages 12 to 21. There are chapters all over the world.)

Hirtle is also proud of an award that he received in 1984 from the Air Force’s Strategic Air Command as an Outstanding Security Policeman for that year. 

He is also proud to be part of a military family. His grandfather, also named Leamon Hirtle, served in the Army during WWI and fought in France. Interestingly, despite fighting on the US side, he was not a US citizen – he was a Canadian citizen. He received his US citizenship after the war.

His father, William Hirtle, served in the Navy during WWII. He was part of an LST crew. He and his crew and boat effected a number of amphibious landings in the south Pacific for the Navy’s “island hopping strategy.” (Author’s Note: LST stands for Landing Ship, Tank. This is a boat that can carry military tanks and personnel, and run up on a beach to dislodge their personnel and equipment to facilitate amphibious assaults.)

His wife’s father flew B-24’s over Europe during WWII. In one instance, their plane was shot down over France. They were able to make a belly landing which killed their “belly gunner” – the man operating the ball turret on the underside of the plane. Upon landing, the plane struck and, not surprisingly, killed a cow. It wasn’t bad enough that their plane was knocked out of the sky, and their gunner was killed – they had to compensate the farmer for his dead cow!

Hirtle’s son, Jason, was also an Air Force man who had served all over the world. Tragically, his career was cut short. While stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, he was involved in a fatal accident while riding his motorcycle.

Today, Master Sergeant Leamon Hirtle, and his wife of 52 years, Meredith, live in Northfield, near Tilton, NH. Lee is retired. Meredith works at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery processing veteran applications. Thank you, Lee, for your service, as an Army veteran, Air Force veteran, and police officer.