Potpourri of War: Labors of Love Remembered Noonie Fortin  More Info Memories of Maggie: A Legend Spanning 3 Wars Noonie Fortin  More Info Women At Risk: We Also Served Noonie Fortin  More Info The sarge's thoughts Noonie Fortin  More Info

About the Midway Fire Department 

According to the Midway Fire Department, “The first emergence of a fire department in the area presently known as "Midway" was around 1920. Clarence Hale, William Hill and Jacob Oliver were appointed directory of the Maywood Fire Department until the first annual meeting. From this point in time until the 30's very little information exists.

It was Maywood Fire Department's responsibility, per their Incorporation papers to extinguish fire and protect property between the "Village of Colonie" and the Schenectady County line. This would be accomplished with a two-wheeled chemical cart that was moved about by man or beast. (This cart was supposedly destroyed for its copper value during the war years).

The late 30s brings about the emergence of a group meeting at the Maywood School wanting to form the Maywood Fire Department. But having one already existing on paper, they were denied use of the name and formed the Midway Fire Department Inc. with its principal office on Massachusetts Avenue.

This location was to be our home until the early 50s when we constructed our present concrete block building at 1956 Central Avenue.”

First Sergeant Noonie Fortin, USA (ret.) is from New York.  In 1975, Noonie Fortin enlisted in the US Army (R).  Throughout her 22 year career she had a variety of assignments from Clerk Typist to Supply Sergeant.  Additionally, Noone Fortin was a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for the Midway Fire Department and Rescue Squad (New York).  First Sergeant Noonie Fortin is the author of: Women At Risk: We Also Served; Potpourri of War: Labors of Love Remembered; Memories of Maggie: A Legend Spanning 3 Wars; and, The Sarge's Thoughts.

According to the book description of Women At Risk: We Also Served, it “is about women who served our country since before World War II to present day. All branches of the military are included, officers and enlisted personnel, as well as women who volunteered as civilians going to a war zone, those that stayed stateside, and other loved ones. Included are clerks, drivers, heavy equipment operators, nurses, USO and ARC volunteers, and more. These women explain some of the things they did or do in the military or as civilians. They tell us why they volunteered, how their lives were changed, and answer the question, "Would I do it again?¿ More than sixty women are profiled in this book. Their stories are finally being shared-many for the first time. This book is for readers of all ages including students. It will encourage patriotism as you read each chapter. They encourage both the reader and listener to talk more and ask questions about their own family military background. Noonie Fortin realized there was a need for this type of book each time she entered a bookstore and couldn't find very many books about women who served their country.”

The Midwest Book Review said of Potpourri of War: Labors of Love Remembered, that it “is the story of Americans who were not "career military" but who loved their country and everything that America has come to stand for within the community of civilized nations. This compelling volume of wartime reminiscences ranges from the stunning to the fondly nostalgic to the profound. Here are the stories of the women of World War II -- the USO performers, military personnel, Red Cross Workers, Hollywood celebrities, as well as the legions of mothers of sons and daughters gave up their lives in the defense of their country on far flung battlefields. Potpourri Of War is a timely and much needed contribution -- both as a remembrance of things past, and a clarion reminder of how we can meet the demands of war that have suddenly come upon us in our own time.”

According to the book description of Memories of Maggie: A Legend Spanning 3 Wars, it is the “unique story of Martha Raye and her military experience.”