Morgan Hill
– His plan was commendable: Sell his 49er collection to raise
money for his Army reserve unit that will eventually see action in
Iraq. But what Morgan Hill’s Sean Flynn didn’t count on was the
reaction from his superiors
Morgan Hill – His plan was commendable: Sell his 49er collection to raise money for his Army reserve unit that will eventually see action in Iraq. But what Morgan Hill’s Sean Flynn didn’t count on was the reaction from his superiors. They called him in for a heart-to-heart talk, along with his mother and two other friends in the same unit.
While Flynn never intended to cause problems, his commanders told him that selling his valuable collection was not necessary; he and the rest of the unit have all the equipment they will need.
All of this arose when Flynn, 18, approached Mike Herkenrath, co-owner of the Fan Club in San Jose, to sell some 49er memorabilia. It turns out it was worth a lot of money, perhaps up to $10,000. The collection is set to be auctioned by Dec. 30.
“We met with Mike, and when he told us the value, we were blown away,” said Flynn’s mother Edie-Marie Mata.
Flynn was unavailable for comment. According to his mother, he wants to stay out of the spotlight and keep the attention on the troops. Flynn, a 2004 graduate of Live Oak High School along with classmates Zane Metin and Ivan Waggoner, are privates in the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, a Mountain View-based unit that assists local populations in times of need.
Flynn’s 49er collection includes a football signed by 40 members of the 1984 Super Bowl team, an autographed Joe Montana jersey, pictures spanning Montana’s career and a plaque complete with trading cards and a picture of the quarterback.
Herkenrath also donated materials for the auction, including a signed Jerry Rice jersey, which at $300 is the highest priced item on the auction block.
The plan received a lot of attention from sports fans as well as 49ers players who agreed to donate money.
The media also found out. And that is when Flynn’s superiors heard of the plan.
The Army does not allow soldier to host such benefits and expressed their concerns to Flynn. But Mata insists the auction is only being held to help.
Flynn, who wrestled for Live Oak, had been collecting sports memorabilia most of his life. Mata said all proceeds from the auction as well as donations will go toward the unit as well as charities for servicemen such as Mothers of Military Soldiers (MOMS). The auction will continue through Dec. 30. Herkenrath said he expects the proceeds to reach $10,000.
Mata said her son has always wanted to be in the military.
“For some, it’s a calling and for him it is,” Mata said. “At 17, he was telling me that he could enlist with my permission.”
Mata gave her permission and on May 9, Flynn enlisted. He went to boot camp the following June after graduation. Flynn is only the second one in his family to join the military, Mata’s father was in the Navy. The family has lived in Morgan Hill for 10 years.
Despite reports of equipment shortages for units in Iraq, the Army insists it will not send their troops without the best materials they can give.
“The soldiers were brought in (Tuesday) and we explained they didn’t have to do this,” said Ben Abel, public affairs officer for the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command in Fort Bragg, N.C.
Initially, the military commented on the benefit through an officer with the Mountain View unit, but once the media attention grew, the headquarters at Fort Bragg took over handling requests from the media.
Abel said soldiers are free to purchase additional equipment and most commanders don’t object.
“They can purchase this stuff, and they are free to do that, but the ballistic protection can’t be matched,” said Abel in reference to Flynn possibly buying body armor, a claim which has been denied by Flynn’s family. “If Pvt. Flynn chooses to sell his own private property, that is his right.”
But in recent months, the Pentagon has been under fire with soldiers complaining about the lack of supplies such as armor for their vehicles in Iraq. Most notably was when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was asked point blank by a soldier about the lack of vehicle protection.
Although some in the reserves and National Guard hold full-time jobs, Flynn is only concentrating on his military service since training schedules take up much of his time.
Details: www.49erfanclub.com. Donations can be brought to the Fan Club at 350 Winchester Blvd. in San Jose, in Santana Row.
