MH reservist headed to Iraq auctions his sports memorablia
Exact dollar amounts are still being tabulated, but more than $5,000 is expected following an auction intended to help an Morgan Hill soldier raise money for his Army reserve unit.
San Francisco 49ers memorabilia went on the auction block and after the bidding ended Dec. 30, $2,824.60 was pledged. Along with donations sent to the Fan Club in San Jose, the store hosting the auction, the amount is expected to double when all the numbers are totaled.
Sean Flynn, 18 and a 2004 graduate from Live Oak High, initially intended to sell his memorabilia to raise money to buy military supplies for his two other 2004 grads Zane Metin and Ivan Waggoner and others in his 445th Civil Affairs Battalion US Army Reserve unit based in Mountain View.
Mike Herkenrath, co-owner of the Fan Club in San Jose, was ecstatic by the fund raising. He was pleased to see so much attention brought to the troops.
“I am really happy with the outcome,” Herkenrath said. “This generated a lot of interest here.”
Herkenrath said he is still counting all the donations and pledges that came in, but said the totals should exceed $5,000.
The collection includes a football signed by 40 members of the 1984 Super Bowl team, an autographed Joe Montana jersey, pictures spanning Montana’s career from Notre Dame to the glory days of the 49ers to his final season at Kansas City and his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame and a plaque complete with trading cards and a picture of the famed quarterback.
The 1984 Super Bowl team ball brought in the most money at $760.
The money raised will be split between Flynn’s unit and Mother of Military Servicemen (MOMS), an organization dedicated to raising money for the troops.
Flynn’s mother, Edie-Marie Mata, said she is glad to see the spot light put onto the troops.
“This brought more attention about supporting out troops, it was great,” Mata said.
Flynn declined comment. Mata said her son wanted to stay in the background and simply help the troops.
Initially, Flynn had intended to raise some money for supplies including computer accessories and global positioning units before his unit is ordered to Iraq.
The auction became controversial after the story was published in Bay Area newspapers. Army brass called Flynn, Mata and the two other soldiers in for a talk after reports indicated Flynn was raising money for body armor.
Mata has denied the claim. She said exactly what to buy has not been decided, but it wasn’t Kevlar vests as the Army claims.
Donations can be mailed to the Fan Club at 350 Winchester Blvd. suite 130, San Jose, CA 95128.
