Flannery Field - Dedication Event - Saturday, September 10, 2011
On Saturday, September 10, 2011,
hundreds from the Wyomissing community gathered to pay tribute to
SSG. Sean Flannery, a 1999 graduate
of the Wyomissing Area School
District, who was killed in action by
a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on
November 22, 2010.
Wyomissing
Area’s soccer field was named
Flannery Field in honor of Sean, who
was a star goalie for the Spartans.
Through generous donations from
area businesses and private donors,
a flagpole and monument have been
erected to celebrate Sean’s service
and achievements.
The memorial
was the work of a committee of
Wyomissing Area residents co-chaired by co-chaired by Robert Rader and
Michael Kuhn. Mark Flannery,
English teacher at the Jr./Sr.
High School and cousin of
Sean’s late father, Michael, was
also a member of the committee.
Mark said, “It was heartwarming
to see the response from the people of our community, as well as
the people from Berks County.
Actually, we even had people
from various points across our
nation making contributions for
this memorial. Not only did we
have a generous response from
the citizens of our area, but many
businesses contributed materials,
labor, and other services to make
this project a success.”
On hand for the ceremony were
local, county, and state dignitaries and clergy. Boy Scout
Troop 413 raised the flag as the
Wyomissing Area High School
Camerata sang the national
anthem. Sean’s mother, Charlene
“Charlie” Flannery, expressed her
gratitude for the honor bestowed
upon her son. A 21-gun salute
and taps, played by the Topton
American Legion Honor Guard
closed the ceremony. Sean’s
brothers, Brian and Devin, participated in the soccer game that
followed the dedication.
Mark Flannery shared his
thoughts about the dedication
ceremony. “It was beautiful. The
sun was shining, the grass was
green, and there was even a
rainbow in the sky at the conclusion of the event. Flannery
Field is a perfect way to honor
the memory of Sean M. Flannery.
He was an intelligent, compassionate, dedicated young man
who died serving our country. On behalf of the Flannery family, I would like to thank all of
those who made the Sean M.
Flannery Memorial possible.”
According to Jan Cremer, executive director of the Wyomissing
Area Education Foundation,
donations came in from places as
far away as Arizona, Missouri,
Florida, Georgia, North
Carolina, Tennessee, and
London. Jan reported, “Due to
the generosity of our donors, we
will be funding a scholarship/
award to a deserving Wyomissing
Area student in Sean’s honor.
The award will be given annually
at the end of each school year to
a senior student who has demonstrated leadership and patriotism.
Donations will continue to be accepted and acknowledged.”