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 his superiors calling him, his
mother and two other friends in the same unit in for a
heart-to-heart talk.
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 his superiors calling him, his mother and two other friends in the same unit in for a heart-to-heart talk.
While Flynn never intended 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 which it turns out, unbeknownst to Flynn, is worth a lot of money.
An estimated total value of $5,000 for the collection and contributions from others have pushed the items to be auctioned by Dec. 30 to as much as $10,000.
“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 Mata, Flynn wants to stay out of the spotlight and keep the attention on the troops.
Auction Items
• A signed Jerry Rice jersey – $300
• A 1984 Superbowl team ball signed by 40 members of the team – $300
• A career celebration of Joe Montana in pictures: From Notre Dame to retirement. It includes a 1984 Superbowl ticket – $100
• A signed Joe Montana jersey – $100
• “The Catch” commemorative, limited edition ball signed by Dwight Clark – $99
• Signed replica jerseys from Kevin Barlow, Andre Carter, Brandon Lloyd, Tim Rattey –
$99 each
• A Joe Montana commemorative plaque including a picture of Montana and trading cards – $99
Values are estimated
Flynn, a 2004 graduate from 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.
If the unit were in Iraq, its duties would include rebuilding the infrastructure such as schools, water systems and other utilities.
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.
Hankenrath also donated materials for the auction, including a signed Jerry Rice jersey, which at $300 is the highest priced item on the auction block.
Herkenrath, whose father is a former Marine and grandfather served in World War II, eagerly agreed to help a fellow serviceman and suggested they auction the pieces off on eBay.
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.
“The objective here is to help his unit,” Mata said. “We want to make clear, this is not for personal gain.”
Flynn, who wrestled for Live Oak his junior year, had been collecting sports memorabilia most of his life. Nearly all of his collection were gifts.
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.
“We encourage everyone and anyone to get involved and help the troops,” Herkenrath said.
Mata said they don’t know for sure what they will buy with the money but a global positioning unit or lap tops are possibilities.
Mata said her son wants the focus of everyone to shift to the troops and what they are trying to do.
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 on in his family to join the military, Mata’s father was in the Navy. The family has lived in Morgan Hill for 10 years.
Mata said Flynn’s desire to join the military has been consistent through out his life, although the events of Sept. 11 2001, solidified his decision.
Despite reports of equipment shortages for units in Iraq, the Army insists it will not send their troops with out 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.
About 86,000 reservists and National Guard have been deployed to Iraq. Of the more than 1,300 American deaths in Iraq, the reserves and National Guard units have made up about 15 percent; one in 413 are killed.
Casualty numbers and deployment figures are from www.cnn.com. The numbers include National Guard as well as Army, Marine and air force reserves killed in both combat and in accidents in Iraq.
No firm date has been established on when the unit will be deployed to Iraq.
Details: www.49erfanclub.com. Donations can be brought to the Fan Club at 350 Winchester Blvd. in San Jose, in Santana Row.
