By Tracey Porpora
Staten Island Advance
NEW YORK — Matthew Burns, 41, has always loved his country — so much so that he served in the U.S. Marines, NYPD and FDNY.
But when the Tottenville resident’s career was “cut short” due to a permanent hand injury sustained while working for the city fire department, Burns was determined to find a job doing something he loved. And he knew it had to be patriotic.
“I had to do something else, but it couldn’t just be anything. I wanted to be passionate about it. I wanted to do something that would show my love for this country, and to honor the sacrifice of all our service men and civil servants,” said Burns, the father of two sons, ages 5 and 7.
That’s why he decided to create a patriotic apparel line.
From short and long sleeve T-shirts, to sweatshirts and hats, Because of the Brave Apparel consists of non-political patriotic clothing, for children, women and men up to size 5X.
“All the apparel is pro-America,” he said. “I have fire department, police and military shirts.”
Upstarting the Business
To get started, Burns — who also owns a car service business, Areas Transportation, with his wife, Nicole — took about six months to design the images he wanted to appear on his apparel line.
“I wanted to pick T-shirts with the best possible quality for the best price,” he said, noting he built his website, created business cards, and did all he could to “make sure everything was perfect.”
Today Burns sells his wares — many designed with images of the American flag and patriotic slogans, like “A Country Worth Dying For” — on Etsy, Shopify and through Because of the Brave Apparel’s website. You’ll also find Burns at fairs across the Island and beyond selling his merchandise.
How His Patriotism Began
When he was just 17, Burns had a strong desire to serve his country.
“I begged my mom to let a Marine Corps recruiter come to our house to talk to us about enlisting. I remember it as if it was yesterday. When I saw him walk down my driveway about 100 yards away in his dress blues, I looked at him and I said to myself, ‘That’s it; that’s what I want to do,’” said Burns.
He soon convinced his mother to allow him to enlist in the Marines.
“Four months before my 18th birthday I left to serve my country. I always loved being an American, but when I enlisted on July 11, 2000, that is when it became a love worth dying for,” said Burns.
After four years serving in the Marines, Burns knew his next career would be in law enforcement, so he could continue to serve his country in his home community.
“After I got myself healthy [after suffering PTSD] I knew my next career path was going to be law enforcement. I decided to join the NYPD. All I’ve ever known in my adult life was public service and sacrifice; becoming a police officer, like my late grandfather, was the best way to continue my service,” he said.
A few years into his NYPD career, Burns said he “was given the opportunity” to become an FDNY firefighter, “the job that both my brother and cousin already had been blessed to have. After many long discussions with my wife and many long nights of self-reflection I chose to leave the NYPD and join the FDNY. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made,” Burns said.
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