Five New York Army National Guard Women Relate "Tales of the Sandbox" on March 15

Free program at the New York State Military Museum marks National Women's History Month

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Sgt 1st Class Linda Nosbisch, pictured here in Afghanistan in 2008, is one of five New York Army National Guard female Soldiers who will share her experiences during a free March 15 program.

SARATOGA SPRINGS , NY (03/09/2014)(readMedia)-- The New York State Military Museum will mark National Women's History Month with a program featuring five female members of the New York Army National Guard who responded to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The free public program takes place at the museum on Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. The program is sponsored by Friends of the New York State Military Museum, a not-for-profit which raises money to assist the museum.

Dubbed "Stories from the Sandbox" the five woman panel is being moderated by retired Army National Guard Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, an Afghan War veteran and a member of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum.

The Soldiers will relate their experiences and take questions from the audience.

Participating are:

?Sergeant First Class Sandra Moody.

Moody was assigned to the Guard's s 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team on Sept. 11, 2001. The CST program originated in NY then as part of a new nationwide effort to create and prepare specialized teams to respond to potential terror attacks where chemical, biological or radiological agents may have been used. She was called up with the 2nd CST on 9-11, 2001 and was on the pile the same day. Her service in emergency response was followed by years of homeland defense duty alongside federal, state and local officials and her Guard service would take her to Afghanistan in 2008 to support the emerging military and police forces there.

?Staff Sgt. Asheley Manny

Manny joined the National Guard right after high school with a childhood friend. She became a military intelligence specialist. In 2005 she was called up along with her friend and the two were deployed to Iraq as part of NY's 53rd Army Forces Liaison Detachment, with the mission to support the new Iraqi Army following the fall of Saddam Hussein. Her duties included intelligence tracking of al Qaeda terrorists operating in Iraq and briefing senior US and Iraqi military leaders including general officers and ministers. Even though she was a junior enlisted soldier at the time, the quality of her work in a challenging and complex role earned her official recognition and praise from US and Iraqi leaders.

?Major Lynn Currier and Master Sergeant Lisa Currier

The two Currier sisters are career Guard women with separate specialties – Lynn as a Military Policeman and Lisa as a logistician. In 2008 they were assigned and deployed to NY's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team that would operate as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII in Afghanistan. The mission was to train and mentor the Afghan National Army and Police, support the new government and help the people. In 2008 there were a total of 30,000 U.S. forces on the ground – half of the number present there today. Their task force would break all records for support rendered and accomplishments and the 27th would be awarded a Department of Defense Joint Meritorious Service Medal. Both Lynn and Lisa shouldered great responsibilities, navigated tremendous challenges under dangerous conditions and made significant contributions towards mission success.

?Sergeant First Class Linda Nosbisch

Nosbisch was mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. Linda's assignment as a chaplain's assistant was intended to help the chaplains meet the spiritual needs of the troops. In reality, her work in organizing and supporting memorial ceremonies for 43 Fallen US troops of the task force, including 8 NY National Guard men, and support the surviving friends and comrades -- required very special capabilities and an internal strength that few possess. She continues to serve in the Guard and in the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs, where she supports the ongoing needs of veterans of different eras.

"What is true of this veteran generation is true of others – most of the public never hears or knows of the stories and experiences of the men and women who served," Fanning said. "This is an opportunity to tell those stories."

The New York State Military Museum is located at 61 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 and is administered by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The museum serves as a repository for artifacts which tell the story of New York's Military history and features collections highlighting the history of World War I and II, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and the New York State Militia in the 18th and 19th centuries.