Noonie

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This page was last updated on 27 May 2009.

NoonieFortinmug.JPG (299338 bytes)   Noonie Fortin
   Albany, New York

 

 


Born and raised in the Capital District area of upstate New York, Noonie has been traveling across the country since 1992 spreading word about our many women who have served our country proudly, Martha Raye's love of our troops, as well as talking about the writing, publishing, and promoting industry. She still has a home in New York but she is seldom there for any length of time. She has been living out of a suitcase so she can travel as much as she can to speak to groups.

Her lengthy list of accomplishments is amazing. She has been published in almost every Veteran publication in the country at least twice including Vietnam magazine and BRAVO Veterans Outlook.

After successfully spearheading the effort to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Martha Raye, Noonie wrote the first and only authorized biography of the woman whom Veterans lovingly called Colonel Maggie. Memories Of Maggie: Martha Raye--A Legend Spanning Three Wars has received many excellent reviews since 1995. In 1998 Noonie authored Potpourri Of War: Labors of Love Remembered which was about other women who served as military or civilian personnel in Vietnam. Both of these books were done by LangMarc Publishing.

But that wasn't enough for this prolific writer. Noonie then authored and self-published six other books and is working on a couple more. In 2002 Noonie's latest book Women At Risk: We Also Served was released by Writer's Club Press, an imprint of iUniverse. AND she pushes aside her own research for her writing to assist other authors as needed.

When she is not doing research, interviewing women, or writing--Noonie can be found speaking to groups around the country. She was a member of the National Speakers Association for a few years.

Noonie speaks free for schools, libraries, and other non-profit groups although she does request travel expenses to be covered. Be sure to visit her personal website NOONIE FORTIN to learn more about where she is scheduled to appear around the country.

Noonie's Biographical Sketch

MILITARY:

  • United States Army Reserve, 1975-1997

  • She had tours of duty in Alabama, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Germany. She specialized in Supplies and Logistics as a member of the Quartermaster Corps. Noonie retired from the military as a Battalion First Sergeant after receiving many military awards, medals and ribbons.

CIVILIAN:

  • Retired from New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 1970-1991

OCCUPATION:

  • Author, Speaker, Researcher, Consultant, Publisher and Distributor

EDUCATION:

  • Liberal Arts Degree, University of the State of New York, Albany

Community:

  • Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, Midway Fire Department, Colonie, NY, 1987-1991

Veteran Organization Experience:

  • Colonie Veteran's Memorial Committee, Colonie, NY (2007-present)

  • Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 541, New York, Associate Member (1999-present)

  • Women's Army Corps Veterans Association, Member-at-Large (1998-present)

  • American Legion Post 1610, Albany, New York (1991-present)

  • Tri-County Veterans Alliance, Fremont, California (1989-life)

  • Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans, Albany, NY (1987-life). She was the Asst Secretary and Asst Treasurer (1989-1992), co-chair of the Medals for Maggie committee (1989-1993), as well as NCOIC of Honor Guard; member of Color Guard; member of POW-MIA committee, Christmas in August committee, fund-raising committees, and the Albany County Vietnam Veterans Memorial committee (1987-1993).

AUTHOR:

  • The Sarge's Thoughts: Volume V, 2004
  • Women At Risk: We Also Served, 2002
  • The Sarge's Thoughts: Volume IV, 2002
  • The Sarge's Thoughts: Volume III, 2001
  • The Sarge's Thoughts: Volume II, 2000
  • Dad Wears Combat Boots, 2000
  • The Sarge's Thoughts: Volume I, 1999
  • Mom Wears Combat Boots, 1999
  • Potpourri Of War: Labors of Love Remembered, 1998
  • Memories of Maggie: Martha Raye--A Legend Spanning Three Wars, 1995

TELEVISION and VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES:

  • Four Jills in a Jeep--Interview about Maggie included in the October 2008 DVD!
  • Against Forgetting--Interviewing women Veterans
  • Martha Raye: In Love and War--A&E Biography

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