Niles area residents are invited to honor the thousands who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, by taking part in the second annual Michiana Patriots Walk in Niles this month.

The walk will take place in Riverfront Park at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, on the 15th anniversary of the attacks.

“We want to honor and remember those people who lost their lives on 9/11 and to honor our police officers, firefighters, veterans and their families who continue to make sacrifices today,” said Tom Meyer, outpost leader of the Point Man Ministries of Niles, which is organizing the event. “It is a way of showing patriotism, community and all the values we hold dear as Americans.”

The event will begin with a short memorial program at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. After that, participants will walk south along the trail to Fort Street and back north to the amphitheater — a distance of approximately 4 miles.

In addition to being a way to honor the 9/11 victims, the event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Niles Salvation Army’s building project fund.

The Salvation Army plans on constructing a new facility at the corner of South 17th and Miller Streets in Niles. Meyer said Point Man Ministries of Niles will have an outpost in the new Salvation Army building.

Meyer, who spent 21 years in the U.S. Armed Forces as part of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, founded Point Main Ministries of Niles with his wife in the fall of 2012. The organization serves as a Christian outreach ministry for veterans and their families.

Meyer said he and his wife are the only members, although they do receive assistance from others from time to time. He hopes to start a support group for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder this fall.

“There is a great need for this in the Niles area,” he said.

Anyone interested in learning more about Point Man Ministries of Niles, or helping its cause, should contact Meyer by phone at (269) 340-4884 or by email at tommeyerusnret@pointmanniles.com.

Point Man Ministries of Niles is part of the Point Man International Ministries, which serves veterans all over the country.