Pictured are participants from team First New Mexico Bank: Front row left to right is Monica Abeyta, Lisa Serna, Melonie Lockhart, AJ Reynolds & Mary Ybarra. Back row left to right is Mike Lindsey, Lisa Navarro, A.D. Richins, Antonio Quesada & Leslie Rodriquez

Silver City – The fifth annual Walk For The Heroes military charity fundraiser is scheduled for this Saturday, September 13 and already teams are forming to line up for the seven-mile walk.

First New Mexico Bank is one of those teams that have registered walkers. At least 10 of the bank's employees will be joining an estimated 100 walkers from around the county in the walk named after James H. Pirtle, the first New Mexico soldier to be killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"We are excited now that the date is almost here," said Liz Lopez, committee vice-president. "People are calling us, buying event shirts and registering for the website to either walk or do the motorcycle run."

Participants will take off from the start line at the Gateway Restaurant in Hurley, New Mexico at 8:00 a.m. Walkers can choose to walk the entire or partial route, which ends at Bataan Park in Fort Bayard. Dozens of motorcycle riders will participate in a separate route that also begins in Hurley at the same time.

"We are really appreciative of the support that our community has given us for the last five years," said Lopez. "My husband and I had never dreamed that his event would grow to what it is today."

Liz and her husband Mike began the walk as a personal challenge in 2010. Only a few walkers participated in the first year of the walk. This Saturday's walk is expected to have up to 150 participants. Several relatives of the late James Pirtle will be in attendance.

Businesses are also helping by hosting hydration stations throughout the walk.

Interested community members can register for the walk or the ride on the event website www.walkfortheheroes.com. Registration is $20 and includes an event shirt, entry and lunch at Bataan Park. Proceeds will benefit military charities including the Gary Sinise Foundation.