• by Fern Siegel , May 22, 2023

It's easy to thank someone for their service. But it is equally important to support the U.S. military community as a whole, which includes the sacrifices families make.

Clear Channel Outdoor Americas, the Out of Home Advertising Association of America and the USO are running a nationwide digital billboard campaign encouraging civilians to support the U.S. military community.

Kicked off in Times Square, the OOH campaign underscores how helpful it is for civilians to give back to the 1.3 million active-duty service members. It also includes text and images portraying the message “Show Your Gratitude for Their Sacrifice,” encouraging Americans to support U.S. service members’ well-being at USO.org/military.

The campaign runs nationwide. The creative is by marketing agency Orange Element.

Less than 1% of the U.S. population serves in the U.S. military — but all of us depend on them.

“It is our patriotic duty to support service members and their families,” said Chief Development and Marketing Officer of the USO, Brian Cowart. “Our nation’s security and the freedoms we enjoy are because of the continued sacrifice and service of so many men and women living in our communities across the country.” 

The work is timed throughout May, to honor Military Appreciation Month.

The USO is a private nonprofit organization, not a government agency, that supports service members and their families ast hundreds of locations in the U.S. It offers various programs, services, and free meals, as well as entertainment tours. Marilyn Monroe, Bob Hope, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Martin, Carrie Underwood, Robin Williams and Kate Perry, among many others, have performed for the troops.

OAAA President and CEO Anna Bager, said: “The OOH industry has the incredible ability – and responsibility – to be a force for good, and we’re grateful to our member media companies who step up to the plate and donate over $500 million in ad space every year to these critical causes.”