Who we are

Our Mission

To publicly recognize and preserve the legacies of American veterans—living and fallen—through permanent military plaques, meaningful ceremonies, and community engagement.

What We Stand For

  • Honor for All Who Served

  • Recognition in Their Lifetime

  • Civic Pride & Public Awareness

  • Education Through Legacy

Why Mt. Soledad?

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is considered one of the most unique veterans memorials in the United States.

Located high above San Diego with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the memorial honors veterans from every branch of service and every major U.S. conflict—from the Revolutionary War to today’s War on Terror.

What makes Mt. Soledad truly special is that it’s one of the only memorials in the country that includes the veteran’s image alongside their name, rank, service details, and a personal tribute. Whether living or deceased, every veteran honored here is recognized not just for their service, but as a complete person—with a face, a story, and a legacy.

For Plaques for Warriors, this is the perfect place to preserve the memory of those who served. These plaques do more than commemorate—they educate, inspire, and remind future generations that freedom comes at a cost, and that every name etched into stone represents a life of duty, sacrifice, and purpose.

Our Motto

“To remember them is to breathe life into their legacy.”

We don’t just honor service—we preserve it. For families, for communities, and for history.

Impact Statement

For a veteran, being honored by Plaques for Warriors is more than receiving a plaque—it’s a moment of validation, remembrance, and pride. For their family, it’s a living tribute that says: “Your sacrifice was seen. Your story matters. Your legacy will live on.”

This recognition often brings healing to wounds that medals alone cannot reach. Many of our honorees come from communities where service was expected, but acknowledgment was rare. By placing their names permanently at Mt. Soledad, we ensure these veterans are not just remembered—they are celebrated.

For families, especially children and grandchildren, the plaque becomes a point of generational pride. It sparks conversations, preserves history, and reinforces cultural identity. It connects them to a legacy of service and inspires them to carry it forward.

In honoring one veteran, we uplift an entire family.

In honoring that family, we strengthen a community.

This is the lasting power of Plaques for Warriors.

Letter from the Founder

My name is Miguel Alatorre, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.), combat veteran, and founder of Plaques for Warriors.

This project was born from a simple truth I learned both in uniform and in life:

Every warrior deserves to be honored—not just in memory, but in presence.

When my own plaque was placed on the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial—Wall DD, Side 1, Row 2, Plaque 37—I didn’t seek public recognition. But having my entire family there—my parents, my wife, children, and grandchildren—along with fellow veterans who served alongside me, and my community standing with me, filled me with a profound sense of pride, healing, and gratitude.

That moment showed me how important it is for veterans and their families to be honored while they are still here to feel it.

I realized that this kind of recognition brings healing not only to the veteran but also to the family—who have stood by them, sacrificed in silence, and carried the weight of service in their own way—and whose recognition is just as vital to the healing process.

I said to myself:

Every veteran needs to feel what I felt that day—the quiet strength of being surrounded by loved ones and my fellow veterans, knowing their sacrifice is seen and valued, even if they don’t seek the spotlight.

I’ve witnessed too many veterans, especially those from humble or overlooked communities, live their lives without this kind of acknowledgment. I’ve also felt and seen firsthand how a simple plaque—etched with a veteran’s name, face, and story—can transform lives, bring families together, and inspire communities.

Plaques for Warriors exists to give our veterans their moment.

Not after they’re gone, but while they’re still here to receive the gratitude they have earned.

This mission isn’t about politics or publicity. It’s about dignity, remembrance, and doing right by those who gave everything for this country. Whether they served in war or peace, on the front lines or behind the scenes—if they wore the uniform, their story matters.

With a proud military history behind me, and firsthand experience serving alongside heroes from all walks of life, I launched this initiative to ensure their stories are never forgotten. I carry this mission forward with the same dedication I brought to every deployment—driven by purpose, fueled by pride, and always centered on people.

Thank you for supporting this cause. Whether you donate, nominate, or simply spread the word—you are helping preserve the legacy of America’s warriors, one plaque at a time.


With gratitude,

Miguel “Commander” Alatorre

Founder, Plaques for Warriors

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army (Ret.)