Matt Epps

Matt Epps is a Son of The American Legion through his father’s service in the U.S. Navy. An invitation to join gave him the opportunity to get involved, and he found that the Legion Riders were a good fit. Where other groups had not felt right, this one offered the company and sense of belonging he was looking for.

Matt fell in love with motorcycles at about seven years old, when he first rode as a passenger on the back of a motorcycle. He wanted a bike of his own ever since. He rides a 2001 Honda Shadow in Midnight Blue Pearl.

The camaraderie is what Matt likes most about the Riders. He appreciates seeing fellow members through the summer, spending time together, and the friendships that come from being part of the group. Riding is an important connection, but the people are what make it worthwhile.

Matt works for the City of Oneonta’s Department of Public Works. Outside work and riding, he enjoys hunting, fishing, kayaking, and just about anything that gets him outdoors.

Caring for family is a major part of Matt’s life. He has spent years helping care for family members with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, drawing on his 15 years of experience in healthcare. It is an ongoing responsibility and an important part of his story beyond work and riding.

His interests in helping others extend to veterans, animals, and children. Those are the causes he looks for and the efforts he wants to support. The Riders give him a way to spend time with friends while contributing to work that matters to him.

For someone thinking about joining, Matt points to the friendships, the camaraderie, and the chance to help others. He has made good friends through the Riders and encourages others to get involved. For him, that shared effort means supporting causes that help veterans, animals, and children, all of which matter to him personally.