The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial stands as a tribute to those who have served our nation, with thousands of plaques adorning our Honor Walls that tell the stories of men and women from every walk of life who heeded the call. In our ongoing mission to commemorate those who have served, we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet Roger Borst, the master engraver who transforms military memories into enduring tributes.
Roger brings over 23 years of specialized experience to our Memorial. As the founder of Borst Designs, he pioneered the direct engraving of photographic images on granite—a technique that revolutionized the monument industry.
“We pioneered the process of direct engraving of halftone photography in the monument industry,” Roger explained in a feature titled “From Photography to Engraving – The Evolution of Borst Designs” (Monument Builders of North America, 2023). “We worked with a manufacturer of photo resists to adapt the process to granite.”
This expertise makes him uniquely qualified to create our memorial plaques, where the veteran’s image serves as the emotional center of each tribute.
The creation process begins when families submit their veteran’s documentation, including the required DD214 to verify military service. Roger then works his magic on the photograph—often restoring vintage military photos to ensure they’ll engrave perfectly.
Drawing on his background as a wildlife photographer, Roger meticulously enhances each image before incorporating it into a design that includes:
Creating these plaques presents a unique challenge: conveying a lifetime of service in a limited space. Our plaques come in three sizes (8”×8”, 8”x12”, and 8”x16” inches), each with strict word limits for service statements and comprehensive design guidelines to ensure accuracy and adherence to military designation protocols.
Roger approaches each design with careful attention to detail. Veterans who served in Korea during the conflict, for example, receive the designation “KOREA,” while those who served during that era but not in the combat zone are designated as “KOREAN ERA.”
As we work to increase the number of veterans honored at Mt. Soledad, Roger and our design team are prepared to meet the growing demand while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship. Each new plaque receives the same meticulous attention to detail, regardless of how many we create.
“We’ve always fully guaranteed our work,” Roger says of his professional philosophy. “Our goal is to serve the needs of our customers. We want them to be happy with what we’ve done.”
The completed plaques are permanently installed on the 16 Honor Walls encircling the 29-foot tall cross at the center, creating a lasting legacy for each veteran. As we expand our memorial, we invite you to consider honoring a veteran in your life with a custom-designed plaque.
Each plaque added to our walls not only commemorates an individual’s service but also enhances the memorial as a whole—creating a more complete picture of the legacy of American military service across generations.
From World War I veterans to those who served in Afghanistan, from Army privates to Navy admirals, our memorial tells the story of American sacrifice and service through beautifully crafted plaques designed by experts like Roger Borst.
Ready to honor a veteran in your life? Contact us today to begin the plaque creation process and become part of this growing tribute to America’s heroes.
