TUPPER LAKE — The North Country is riveted, awaiting any news about 1st Lt. Bergan Arsenault Flannigan, who was seriously wounded in action in Afghanistan last week.
“I just spoke to my sister Amy (Arsenault), her mom, and she is progressing exactly as she should be at this point,” Bergan’s aunt Jill Abdallah of Plattsburgh told the Press-Republican Thursday.
Flannigan and her husband, 1st Lt. Thomas Flannigan — both soldiers serving in Afghanistan with the Military Police Corps — were flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Monday after Bergan sustained serious injury in a roadside-bomb explosion while on patrol last week.
Her right leg was amputated above the knee.
MORE SURGERY
“Her left leg is healing beautifully,” Abdallah said.
“She’s going into surgery again Friday (today) to complete what needs to be done on the right leg. The doctors are very optimistic about her progress.
“Bergan has a very loving, supportive family, who are there now, her mother and father, her twin sister, Bethany. And her older brother and sister will be there this weekend,” Abdallah said.
“My sister said she knew they were going to be surrounded by angels, but they are everywhere.”
Abdallah said the military medical staff is extraordinary.
“We feel incredibly blessed to have her with us. My sister said she is receiving outstanding care. The military has been just outstanding.”
COLONEL PROUD
Members of Adirondack Residents Intent on Saving Their Economy, a Tupper-based outreach organization, shared photos of the 24-year-old wounded warrior receiving her Purple Heart Medal from her commander, Col. John F. Garrity, last week in Afghanistan.
“I had the distinct honor to present the Purple Heart to (1st) Lt. Bergan Flannigan this morning at Craig Joint Theater Hospital (at Bagram Airfield),” he wrote in an e-mail dated Feb. 26.
“I also presented her the Combat Action Badge, the coin for combat excellence from the CG, 82d Airborne Division and the combat coin of the 16 (Military Police Brigade).
“The Intensive Care Unit was full of doctors, nurses and support staff — they all wanted to see a hero receive her recognition.
“Bergan is alert, happy to be alive, thankful for the medic who saved her life, along with the gifted surgeons at Kandahar and Bagram. She is a fighter and a warrior,” Garrity wrote.
“I praised her discipline and training and told her I was proud of her. Neither she nor Tom enjoy being in the limelight — I told them both that they needed to get used to being ‘rock stars’ for a while.”
The colonel said he has one of the photos of Bergan hanging on his wall.
“I wanted her to know that she is an inspiration to leaders — young and old.”
BENEFIT SATURDAY
ARISE and the American Legion Post 220, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3120 and the Marine Corps League Adirondack Leathernecks in Tupper Lake have planned a full day’s activity Saturday, starting at Big Tupper Ski Center at 9 a.m., with all lift-ticket proceeds going to support the Flannigan and Arsenault family travel expenses.
A parade of flags will take place between noon and 1 p.m.
Veterans will host a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. — dine-in or takeout — at the VFW in Tupper Lake, with donations accepted.
People who can’t attend can send donations to: American Legion Post 220, 196 Park St., Tupper Lake, NY 12986.
Abdallah said many of Bergan’s extended family and friends will be at Big Tupper on Saturday.
E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at:
kdedam@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Local soldier recovering from surgery
- Breaking News
-
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
