Meet The Founder

CPT (Ret) Tyler A Merritt, USA

Who better to assist our Wounded Veterans and their families in dire need of help, than an American soldier?

The term “brothers in arms” means a great deal to Army Captain Tyler Merritt, USA. Over the past decade Tyler has witnessed the atrocities of war and knows first hand the devastating effects that continue to haunt our Veterans.

As owner of a successful apparel company, Nine Line Apparel, Tyler decided to donate a portion of all proceeds to a cause that gives back to veterans in need. This all volunteer force advocates veteran issues and provides much needed financial aid to the most severely wounded vets. Please join the fight to honor those called America’s Next Greatest Generation.”

Nine Line Foundation was founded in 2013 by CPT Tyler Merritt, USA, a member of the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. When Tyler, his wife, Angela and brother, Daniel created Nine Line Apparel, their vision was simple: to create a high quality clothing brand to be enjoyed by patriotic Americans around the globe. In the past few years, their brand has grown, and Tyler decided to give back to the community through expanding the Nine Line brand and incorporating the Nine Line Foundation.

In early 2013, after Tyler’s West Point classmate, then CPT Edward “Flip” Klein, lost three limbs fighting in Afghanistan, Tyler decided to do the same thing he did as a soldier: proactively look for solutions. In addition to personal support, Tyler got permission from the NLA Board, determining that a portion of all apparel purchases be donated to help defray the tremendous rehabilitation costs of CPT Klein and, in the process, began a journey to help severely wounded veterans regain their lives.

Our Current Initiative

By primarily focusing efforts on one individual at a time, Nine Line Foundation is able to do more with less. However, when the need arises, we are capable of mobilizing and assisting in more than one project at a time – simply put, we answer the Nine Line. We are thrilled to take on the newest venture of our organization – constructing a transitional community for homeless veterans, a Veterans Village, which will provide training and housing to our veterans in most desperate need.

Nine Line Foundation has reached out to the community and has watched the interest grow month after month. From marathon runners, to military based motorcycle clubs, to individuals who have never thought about the plight of those returning from combat, people have risen to the challenge and helped Nine Line Foundation continue to raise the funds necessary to significantly improve the quality of life of those wounded in the defense of this country.

By focusing efforts on one individual at a time, Nine Line Foundation is able to do more with less. With zero overhead, 100% of all dollars collected are directed to the recipient’s personalized needs, relying on volunteers to ensure the mission is accomplished. As veterans themselves, the Nine Line Foundation team feels a lifelong commitment to support their brothers and sisters injured in combat. We would like to build greater awareness of Nine Line Foundation in the hope that one day we will have enough funding to help every soldier on our list.