Harford County Flags Lowered To Honor Longtime Resident, Veteran

BEL AIR, MD — Flags will be lowered in Harford County to honor Samuel B. Fielder Jr., the county executive announced Tuesday.

Fielder, who was born in Darlington and lived in Jarrettsville, died Monday at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, according to his obituary. He was 88.

“Sam was a farmer, a U.S. Marine and a Korean War veteran whose love of country was reflected in his poems, which he often recited at local ceremonies,” County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement.

Fielder served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954, according to the Korean War Legacy Foundation, which reported he served as an artilleryman. When he returned home, he worked on his family farm.

He was honored as a Harford County Living Treasure in 2016, and in his oral history he recited his poem "Our Flag," which he shared on Flag Day in Bel Air each year.*

“I have ordered the Harford County flag lowered in his honor as we send blessings to his family and friends," Glassman said.

The flag will fly at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, Nov. 28.

Glassman named Fielder Harford County's honorary poet laureate in 2017, according to The Aegis.

His poetry has been published around the world, according to his obituary, which stated he was a Master World Champion Power Lifter.

Fielder's image is also inscribed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to the governor of Maryland, who issued a statement following news of his death.

"On behalf of all Marylanders, I offer my most sincere condolences to the family of Sam Fielder, a Korean War veteran from Harford County who passed away this week," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Tuesday. "In May, we attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, where Sam’s image as a young Marine is permanently inscribed."

Hogan also presented a plaque of appreciation to Fielder in May.

"We owe a great debt of gratitude to our veterans — heroes like Sam Fielder — who have done so much for our state and nation," Hogan said.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church on Friday, Nov. 26, and 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Calvary Baptist Church, according to the obituary for Fielder. The church is at 206 Courtland Place, Bel Air, MD 21014.

After the service, interment will take place in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery at 1643 East Churchville Rd., Bel Air, MD 21015.

Memorial donations may go to the American Cancer Society, 405 Williams Court, Suite 120, Baltimore, MD 21220.

* Below is "Our Flag," which Fielder recited during his Harford County Living Treasure interview:

I stood among the crowd as the parade passed by
Was our nation's birthday, was the Fourth of July.
There was all types of people: the old, the young and the young at heart
And one stately looking gentleman and he did stand apart.
He stood closest to the street; he brought along a chair
And the passersby would often stop and stare.
He was an impressive looking figure; he was so smartly dressed.
When he turned around, I saw a mass of ribbons pinned neatly to his chest.
He'd been in campaigns from Korea, Viet Nam and World War II.
He had spent a lifetime serving the red, white and blue.
He had four Purple Hearts, three Bronze, two Silver Stars and a Distinguished Service Cross.
So many battle stars and ribbons, I felt a sense of loss.
He rose quickly to his feet each time the flag passed by;
And gave a snappy salute. There was a sparkle in his eye.
And as the day wore on, a young reporter happened our way.
He'd brought along a camera crew. Something he wanted to say.
He asked, "What does the Fourth of July mean to you?"
Answers that he got are so very true.
Baseball games, sales, cookouts, parades and fireworks!
And a voice from the crowd called out "Another day with pay -- off from work!"
The young reporter got his fill of answers and as he turned to leave
That stately looking gentleman rose up from his chair and gently took him by the sleeve
And he said, "Sonny, take my seat and rest for a spell for I have story I have longed to tell.
The story I want to tell is about the red, white and blue
And what it means to me and I hope it will mean the same to you."
The blue is for the ache in a mother's heart as no other on earth can be.
As she prays to the man above, "Please keep him safe for me."
The white is for the young, the pure in heart who answered his country's call--
Before he had a chance to live, in battle he did fall.
But red, sonny, now that's the one for she stitched
From a drop of blood of each Patriot true
That didn't turn away, run or hide
[When] Called to serve the red, white and blue.
All over the world in World War II, the beaches ran red with blood
On those frozen hills of Korea, Viet Nam's jungles of mud.
Now look, sonny, here she comes; this time [look] close but deep within
You'll see the faces of people [that] fights those wars some of those women and men
There's a farmer, a minister, a fireman, a doctor.
A policeman, a nurse, a steelworker, an engineer, a teacher and a high school drop out
But look what a team they make when she calls. That's what she's all about.
They were with her there in '76, again in 1812;
Followed that lady all over this world. She's been through pure hell.
She's been ripped, torn, blown apart; they've even pulled her down
But she always managed to climb back up [when] brave men stand their ground.
But there is some who would abuse her and they would use her for their own personal gain
But they're still protected by her folds and they enjoy her freedom's reign.
She's always the first to answer the call; [when] People cry out to be free:
For that grand lady is known all over this world as the real Miss Liberty.
Now look, sonny, here she comes again. Isn't that the most beautiful sight you have ever seen?
For there's more royalty in her threads than all the world's kings and queens.
Now sonny, I make no excuses for what I've said. That is one lady from whom I love to brag.
And with that the young reporter rose; weak and trembling legs [and choking back tears] said, "Thank you, sir, for that is the first time in my life I have ever really seen our flag."