Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich “Dr. Patch” Soergel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since 1985, Pacific Emblem Company (San Diego) has been proudly crafting premium custom patches, emblems, and headwear for brands, organizations, and events that demand quality without compromise. With over 16 specialized patch processes and virtually unlimited styles and colorways in our TrulyCustom® Headwear program, creativity is never the limit—only the beginning.
At our core, we believe craftsmanship matters, relationships matter, and giving back matters. Over the years, we’ve been honored to support meaningful causes through our products—raising funds for the 9/11 Foundation, Hurricane Katrina relief, and most recently, standing alongside families who lost their homes in the Maui wildfires (see mauistrong.help). These partnerships reflect who we are and what we stand for: using high-quality products to make a lasting, positive impact.
But 2026 marks something truly historic.
As America celebrates its 250th Birthday, Pacific Emblem Company is taking on our most ambitious, once-in-a-lifetime project yet: the launch of our HAPPY 250th BIRTHDAY AMERICA™ commemorative product line. This collection features a bold, timeless logo designed to be cherished for generations.
At the heart of the line is our 2″ diameter, 4mm-thick Challenge Coin, available in gold-plated and antique gold-plated finishes—a striking blend of history, pride, and collectibility. Each coin can be custom edge-etched with a laser-precise message, making it ideal for companies, charities, events, and organizations seeking a truly personal tribute to America’s legacy.
The collection also includes:
A Flex-Style Baseball Cap with a premium woven patch
A Soft PVC/Rubber Coaster, perfect for honoring veterans and patriots alike
We’ll be showcasing the 250th Birthday Collection at select trade shows across the country and officially launching our dedicated website on March 1st at America250Merch.store.
For custom or personalized coin inquiries, please email quotes@pacificemblem.com
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While we are incredibly proud of our HAPPY 250th BIRTHDAY AMERICA™ line, our commitment to custom work remains as strong as ever. Patches, headwear, pins, coins, and accessories—crafted with care, priced responsibly, and delivered with pride.
Pacific Emblem Company
The quiet FORCE behind custom patches, headwear, and accessories that stand the test of time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
So far, but very intensive process to handle everyday business while designing, creating and producing the Happy 250th Birthday America line of products. Quality, integrity and making sure the public likes the end result is key! Sure there are other out there doing similar products, but we feel our logo carries through phenomenally our product line! So, the bottom line is the time to put into this project among other daily business has been a challenge, but as motivated and determined as I am, along with our designer, production and distribution team, we have it under control.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Pacific Emblem Company (San Diego, CA) —
Pacific Emblem Company is a long-established San Diego–based manufacturer and supplier of custom emblems, patches, coins, and branded promotional products. We work heavily in:
– Challenge coins & commemorative coins
– Embroidered and woven patches
– Headwear and apparel branding
– Laser engraving & personalization
– Retail-ready promotional programs
Our products are Made for events, anniversaries, and milestones, designed for corporate, government, military, nonprofit, and retail use and built to be both collectible and customizable
Our strength is taking a big theme (like a national anniversary) and turning it into a cohesive, sellable product line — coins, caps, displays, and accessories that all match visually.
We are proud and honored to launch the “250th Birthday of America” Campaign and Product line.,
This line sheet showcases Pacific Emblem’s America’s 250th Birthday Collection, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026 — and throughout the year. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime milestone in American history. The Core of the Campaign includes a limited-edition, coordinated product lineup celebrating patriotism, history, and collectability.
Featured Products Include:
250th Birthday 2″ Limited-Edition Challenge Coins – These beautifully crafted keepsakes designed as gifts, collectibles, and commemorative heirlooms are truly a unique
Unique and made out of gold plated, hard enamel front with a stamped antique gold plated back. They come in a clear plastic and protective pouch Optional laser-engraved edge personalization (minimum order required) is available at 125-piece minimums. And for retail stores, we have developed a countertop Coin Displays available in 12 and 24-piece sets Perfect for gift shops, museums, casinos, resorts, nonprofits, and tourist locations.
2) 250th Birthday 2D Rubber Coaster – 3.5″ Diameter featuring a premium soft pvc/rubber coaster with a genuine cork backing, branded and designed to match the official coin artwork.
250th Birthday Flex-Style Black Baseball Cap – A stylish, wearable piece of memorabilia featuring a beautiful woven 250th anniversary patch. Red, White and Navy Hats also available.
Campaign positioning. The campaign is framed as:
“Celebrate & Commemorate the 250th Birthday of America in Style” It’s clearly built for Retail/Online sales, Corporate and organizational gifting, Fundraisers and commemorative programs, customization for brands, causes, and locations. We feel that this unique and one-of-a-kind brand will not only capture the 250 years of America, but allow collectors, connoisseurs and fans of a special piece of American history!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I love to train dogs…. taught the last 3 over 15 tricks including MollyTheTalkingDog (RIP) who said HI MOM and I LOVE YOU and now we have Maggie a chocolate lab who is so talented! I also love to play the piano, and go out to eat at new restaurants. As for the brand, we create the HAPPY 250th BIRTHDAY AMERICA campaign to commemorate his once-in-a-lifetime event that we will never see again. I have done programs and merchandise to raise money for various charities over the years including special collectible Eagle patches for the 911 Memorial (for FDNY and NYPC), Hurricane Katrina Wristbands, CaboStrong Wristbands and the latest one we did for the survivors of the Maui wildfires. See this current campaign at www.mauistrong.help. Also, love to do various voices, wrote a joke book called the How’s Business Joke Book # 2 and love to learn!
Pricing:
- Happy 250th Birthday America Coins: $25
- Happy 250th Birthday Flex Fit Hats: $35
- Happy 250th Birthday Rubber Coasters: $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.america250collection.com (launches March 1st) Current site active: www.pacificemblem.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorpatch
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/doctorpatch
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctorpatch
Image Credits
Photos courtesy of me (Rich S – “aka Dr. Patch”)
