Atmore native recognized for legion membership

Standing at attention, Haskew Middleton smiled.

Middleton had a lot to smile about on Aug. 14 as he was recognized as a 75-year member of the American Legion Post No. 90 in Atmore.

Middleton, an Atmore native, has been continuous member of the post for 75 years. He is a World War II U.S. Army veteran, having served in Europe.

Middleton joined the The American Legion after returning home from the war. His brother convinced him to join.

“This was just the first organization I belonged to when I got out of the Army,” he said. “This was a good place to meet your comrades that have been through what you went through.”

During his service at The American Legion, Middleton was the county chairman in 1955-56 for membership and post activities; he was a past commander of the legion, increasing membership and starting a day room; was awarded several pins and badges over the years; and was on a burial committee for soldiers who died and were brought back home from World War II.

While in the Army, Middleton drove trucks and a “little bit of everything.”

Middleton, who now lives in Fairhope, lived in Atmore for 88 years. He worked at Wasden’s Hardware, worked as a car salesman at Friendly Ford.

“That was back when they delivered them,” Kim Woodham, his niece, said.

Additionally, Middleton worked at United Bank for 11 years, and was a bus driver.

Middleton retired several times, but that didn’t keep him away from doing yard work on his South Carney Street yard.

Midldeton, 97, was married to Gladys Middleton for 70 years. She passed away in 2011.

He has one son, a daughter in law, granddaughter and grandson in law who reside in Gulf Shores.

He has a grandson who lives in Atlanta, Ga. and a great-grandson in Minnesota. He has one daughter who resides in Irvington, New York.