Since LangMarc Publishing of San Antonio released my first book Memories of Maggie in February 1996 and then Potpourri Of War in June 1998, I have been touring the country talking to groups about Maggie and her phenomenal life. I address junior and senior high school classes as well as college students. I speak to senior citizens, library groups, women's and men's organizations, church groups, community and civic groups, writers and literary clubs, as well as Veteran's groups and their reunions. I also speak at banquets, special Veteran functions, do media interviews, make keynote speeches, and address book clubs.
In addition to speaking, I do slide presentations which run from 60 to 90 minutes in length using overhead transparencies. In so doing, I talk in detail about each slide and what Maggie meant to the people in the picture. I also discuss other women and men who have served our country.
Now that Potpourri Of War has been released I have even more interesting things to tell people about those who served with the USO-Red Cross-Special Services, Gold Star Mothers, Kent State, and much more.
Some of the topics that I cover are:
HISTORY OR POLITICAL BUFFS:
True Patriots and Unsung Heros
War From a Woman's Point of View
A Woman in the Army Reserves
Quest for Medals in a Bureaucratic Maze
LANGUAGE ARTS, THEATER, CREATIVE WRITING:
Researching a Legend
Bringing Colonel Maggie to Life
Pitfalls of Getting Published
Tribulations of Getting Noticed
A Brilliant Actress Makes Tough Choices
PSYCHOLOGY:
Identifying Maggie's Multiple Personas
Keeping Memories Alive
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES:
Patriotism
Writing Your First Book
Women's History
ADULT GROUPS:
Once There Was a Blind Man
They Called Her Colonel Maggie
Worse Than the Seven-Year Itch!
Welcome Home!
During 1996 I addressed the following groups:
University of Central Texas, International Relations class, Killeen, TX
Friends of the Library, Copperas Cove, TX
Book Woman store patrons, Austin, TX
Copperas Cove Junior High School, Junior Historians class, Copperas Cove
Colonie Library patrons, Albany, NY
Warren Country American Legion, Glens Falls, NY
Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion '96, Hastings, NE
Colonel Maggie's All-Services Airborne Drop-In, Marina, CA
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 574, El Paso, TX
Lansingburgh High School, Troy, NY
Lois Hobart's Writing Group, El Paso
El Paso Manuscript Club, El Paso
Seekonk High School, Seekonk, MA
American Legion Post 311, Seekonk
Veteran's Outreach Center, El Paso
Five Points Lions Club, El Paso
Military Veterans Coalition, El Paso
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5615, El Paso
Pearl Harbor Survivors, El Paso
The Retired Enlisted Associaiton, El Paso
Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 393, El Paso
In 1997 I addressed the following groups:
The Retired Railroad Association, El Paso, TX
Eastside American Association of Retired Persons, El Paso
Society of Military Widows, El Paso
El Paso Writer's League, El Paso
Catholic Daughters of America, El Paso
Northeast Women's Society, El Paso
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center Valentine's Day Salute to Veterans, El Paso
Four Centuries Sertoma Club, El Paso
Northeast Kiwanis, El Paso
Downtown Optimists Club, El Paso
University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso
Northgate Optimists Club, El Paso
Northeast Concerned Citizens, El Paso
Association of Retired Persons Chapter 1492, El Paso
Phillis Wheatley Civic Club, El Paso
Twin Plant Women's Association, El Paso
National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1493, El Paso
Burges High School In-service for teachers, El Paso
Special Forces Association Chapter IX, El Paso
Eastside Welcome Club, El Paso
El Paso Home Health Care Association, El Paso
Tri-State Opera Guild (El Paso Chapter), El Paso
Lower Valley Women's Club, El Paso
Transmountain Optimists Club, El Paso
The 82nd Airborne Division's El Paso Chapter, El Paso
American Association of Retired Persons Chapter 74, El Paso
Westside Optimists Club, El Paso
American Ex-POW's Chapter 1, El Paso
National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1495, El Paso
Kansas Vietnam Veterans Reunion, El Dorado, KS
First Cavalry Division's 50th Reunion, Killeen, TX
Southeast Optimists, Wichita, KS
Freedom Fest '97 in Skidmore, MO
Plymouth Church Guild, Wichita
Forum for Executive Women, Wichita
West Wichita Women's Network, Wichita
Watermark Book Store presentation, Wichita
Westside Optimists, Wichita
YWCA, Wichita
Kansas Authors Club, Wichita Chapter, Wichita
Air Force Library patrons, McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita
In 1998 I addressed the following groups:
Society of Military Widows, Wichita, KS
East Wichita Shepard's Center, Wichita
Athena Club, Sedgwick, KS
Oil Secretaries Assn, Wichita
Optimist Convention, Wichita
Daughters of the American Revolution, Eunice Sterling Chapter, Wichita
Wichita Press Women, Wichita
Augusta Book Club, Augusta, KS
Wisconsin Association Concerned Veterans Organization (WACVO), Madison, WI
Presbyterian Women, Wellington, KS
Seekonk Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Foundation, Seekonk, MA
Special Forces Association Convention, Albuquerque, NM
Kansas Writers Association, Wichita
Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion '98, Columbus, NE
Freedom Fest '98, Skidmore, MO
Barnes & Noble, discussion, Wichita
Border's, slide presentation, Wichita
Newman Book Club, Wichita
Special Operations Association Reunion, Las Vegas, NV
Retired Officers Wives, Wichita
Colonie Library patrons, Albany, NY
Writer's League of Washington, Washington, DC
Washington Independent Writers, Washington, DC
In 1999 I addressed the following groups:
Daughters of the American Revolution, Martha Loving Ferrell Chapter, Wichita, KS
Second Infantry Division--Korean War Veterans Alliance, Branson, MO
Philip Schuyler Elementary School, 5th & 6th grades, Albany, NY
Kansas Authors Club, Wichita
General public during opening ceremonies of The Moving Wall in Bolton Landing, NY
Students and adults at The Moving Wall in Skidmore, MO
Freedom Fest 99, Skidmore
Downtown Rotary, Wichita
Parents, teachers, librarians, and students at Wineteer Elementary School, Wichita
National Council for Social Studies, teachers and administrators, Orlando, FL
In 2000 I addressed the following groups:
International Women's Writing Guild, local Zip Code Party, Austell, GA
Rotary Club, Warner Robins, GA
Some of the groups that I addressed have sent letters expressing their comments on my presentations. I thought I would share some of those with you and maybe you might want to have me address your group.
Seekonk High School, Seekonk, MA, Dr Russell Goyette, Principal:
The faculty and students haven't stopped talking about your day long visit to Seekonk High School on November 1, 1996.
It isn't very often that our school is visited by such an accomplished and dedicated speaker. Your topic Colonel Maggie and the Vietnam War is not only fascinating, but very important. Our young people, in fact the nation, are sorely lacking knowledge about the War and those who served. The story of Colonel Maggie's service to this country is incredible. When we associate heroes and a war we, automatically think about a male soldier gallantly attacking the enemy...not a Hollywood starlet!
The passionately endearing story of a woman giving herself to her country is one you tell with great emotion, intelligence and poise. It is a story every American should hear!
Of equal importance is the arduous struggle you faced, researching, writing, publishing and finally marketing your beautiful book. Many of the 600+ students and 20+ faculty who were lucky enough to attend your presentation commented to me that they had no idea how hard it was to complete a journalistic endeavor of this magnitude. Additionally, they marveled at your energy and dedication when you announced that you had already started work on a sequel. They loved the topic, you and your presentation.
Please feel free to use this letter as an endorsement to any educational institution or group (Veteran or civic) looking for a dynamic speaker with two amazng and highly interesting topics (Colonel Maggie and the trials and tribulations of authorship) rolled into one spellbinding presentation.
Lansingburgh High School, Troy, NY, C. Frederick Erickson, Assistant Principal:
I am writing to express my appreciation on behalf of the students and teachers for the heart-warming, informative, and inspirational presentations you made. You were right on target with your comments and observations, and the students appreciated the anecdotes you shared with them.
Thank you for sharing your time and for being so gracious, understanding, and sensitive with the students.
Northgate Optimist Club, El Paso, TX, Jim Gamble, President:
Northgate Optimist Club was priviledged to have Ms Noonie Fortin speak at our club recently. Ms Fortin's talk about Martha Raye was educational and entertaining. Ms Fortin's knowledge of Martha Raye and history were exceptional. I would highly recommend Ms Fortin as a guest speaker for your organization.
Twin Plant Women's Association, El Paso, Sally Cardetti, Program Chairman:
As far as your presentation, it was excellent! The reviews were the best we have had for a speaker all year. That was a tremendous feeling for me because not many people knew very much about Martha Raye and I wasn't sure how well my group would receive your book. Your obvious patriotism and sincerity won everyone's heart. I just hope Ms. Raye knew she had someone of your caliber on her side.
Wichita Press Women, Wichita, KS, Lisa Timmermeyer, vice-president of programs:
Your talk was very informative and interesting...you looked like a pro!
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