About Matthew
Born and raised in Southwest Michigan, Matthew has always been driven by a strong sense of duty and adventure. After graduating high school in 2003, he answered the call to serve by joining the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment, he pushed himself to the highest levels of training, graduating from elite programs such as Marine Scout Sniper School, Special Operations Training Group Urban Sniper School, Advanced Reconnaissance Course, and an Arabic Language course, among others.
His dedication took him on multiple deployments, spending over two years deployed. In 2004, he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart, as well as receiving the Combat Action Ribbon, two Certificates of Commendation, Sea Service Deployment ribbon with a star, Certificate of Appreciation, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War On Terrorism Medal and was awarded 2 Expert Rifle Badges. After completing his service, Matthew was honorably discharged in 2007 and pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University in 2012.
Even after transitioning to civilian life and graduating from college, his passion for service and high-stakes operations remained. This led him to a career in Diplomatic Security, where he worked as a Designated Defensive Marksman, protecting the American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Since leaving Afghanistan, Matthew has embraced a new adventure—building a life with his incredible wife, Sarah, and their beautiful family. Now at 40, he reflects with gratitude on the experiences that have shaped him, knowing that while he’s accomplished much, the best is yet to come.
AMERICAN PRIDE IS NOT GONE.
Welcome to Section 1776
Section 1776 is more than just a brand—it’s a movement. It represents the unwavering spirit of those who take pride in who they are, what they do, and what they stand for. It is built on the belief that the United States of America is, has always been, and will always be a nation of resilience, strength, and unmatched opportunity.
This movement is about honoring the men and women who have sacrificed to preserve our freedoms. It’s about supporting American-made products, knowing that every purchase strengthens businesses, families, and communities across this great nation.
Section 1776 is for those with an unrelenting drive—those who face challenges head-on, embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, and refuse to settle for anything less than excellence. It is a call to those who lead by example, setting the standard for others to follow.
Now is the time to reignite the spirit that built this country. Are you ready to stand with us? Welcome to Section 1776.
OUR LOGO:
THE SECTION 1776 LOGO IS A TRUE AMERICAN LOGO THROUGH AND THROUGH. THE CONCEPT IS BASED OFF THE EXACT DIMENSIONS AND PROPORTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.
- The height vs. width ratio of the Section logo is the exact height vs. width ratio of the American Flag.
- The 4 main parts (Union Box and 3 Bars) in the Section logo is a representation of the 4th day in July of 1776, Independence Day. Each bar is the height of 3 stripes from the American Flag.
- The horizontal spacing between the bars is 1/50th of the overall width of the logo which represents the 50 states of the United States of America.
- The union box is the exact height and width of the union box from the American Flag.
The font type of the words "Section" and "1776" is the named Backslash. It is a bold, heavy and proud font. This particular font was chosen due to the fact that this brand will always give back to the American men and women who have proudly served under this flag.
Logo by: Adam Goldberg and Matthew McDaid