Haddon Clark strongly believes in supporting soldiers who put their lives on the line during combat or natural disasters.
The president of Sampson-Bladen Oil Company and Han Dee Hugo Stores, Clark was honored with the Meritorious Public Service Medal (MPSM) from the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG). A ceremony was recently held in Raleigh at the NCNG’s Joint Force Headquarters.
“I’m very proud and honored to have received it,” Clark said. “It’s a very prestigious award and I appreciate them thinking enough of me to get the award.”
Clark added that he was humbled by the honor and being among the first group of recipients to be presented withe the MPSM. It’s awarded for outstanding service to individuals making substantial contributions. He was joined by Wesley Campbell, vice president of retail retail operation for Campbell Oil Company and Minuteman Food Marts; Constance Wilson Frazier of Connie Wilson Consulting, Inc.; and Dick Hummel of Wakefield Senior Men’s Golf’s Association.
After high school, Clark, a Bladen County and Elizabethtown native earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and his master’s from the Campbell University. Years later, he became president of the Sampson-Bladen Oil Company, Inc., which has been owned by his family since the 1930s.
He spent many years making contributions to the NCNG. It started as a member of the North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers Association (NCPCMA). The organization was trying to find ways to create projects. Dean Cline, a member of the organization, came up with an idea for convenience stores to raise money to help NCNG through a relief fund.
“We decided to try it and it’s been very successful,” Clark said.
Statewide NCPCMA raised millions of dollars for the NCNG through the Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund, Inc. The purpose was to provide financial assistance to Guard families. Sampson-Bladen Oil Company, Inc. is a major sponsor for the nonprofit.
“A lot of the guys come back from foreign countries and once they come back, they don’t have the same benefits that an active Army soldier does,” he said. “We try to provide it.”
Clark expressed how appreciates the service provided by National Guard military members.
“They are the most under-appreciated bunch of people that I know of,” he said. “They’re always there when there’s a disaster or catastrophe — the Guard is who we always go to for relief. They’re always there to help North Carolina get back on their feet.
“If there’s war, they’re one of the first ones to go and they defend our country,” Clark said. “I just can’t thank a group of people that I admire and honor any more than the North Carolina National Guard.”
