Support McDonald's

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2005 - Since McDonald’s joined the
Defense Department’s “America Supports You� team earlier
this month to support the troops, the restaurant chain is
“lovin’ it.�

“We want to make sure that our troops know that our
customers and Americans are behind them,� said Mike Donahue, vice
president for U.S. communications and customer
satisfaction. “America Supports You is so important because we don’t
want people to forget that freedom is not free.� The program
recognizes citizens’ support for the men and women of the
armed forces and communicates that support to servicemembers
at home and abroad.

Donahue said America Supports You is a natural fit for the
hamburger chain because the company’s principles are so
closely aligned with the military’s.

“We believe that we share so many values in common with the
military that we want to continue to express our
appreciation,� he said. “Dedication, hard work, training, teamwork:
All the things a crew has to learn to run a McDonald’s are
similar to what (is taught) in the military and we want to
make sure we’re expressing our gratitude.�

McDonald’s, one of the first major corporate sponsors of
America Supports You, has been expressing gratitude for
America’s heroes for the past three years through the National
Salute to America’s Heroes program. Donahue said the program
honors many groups that are considered heroes, and that
includes U.S. servicemembers.

The company already has plans in place for this year’s
program, and is working to incorporate the America Supports You
message into several of its events. McDonald’s also plans
to show support for America Supports You through
advertising, in-restaurant materials and local marketing efforts
during National Military Appreciation Month in May.

“We are thrilled that the America Supports You message will
reach so many through the support of McDonald’s,� said
Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for
internal communications and public liaison. “McDonald’s efforts
will help make America Supports You part of our national
lexicon, providing a tremendous morale boost not just for
those serving overseas, but for their families as well.�

McDonald’s will be making America Supports You dog tags
available, as well as providing guidelines for franchise
owners indicating how they can encourage support for
servicemembers locally, Donahue said. That also includes making people
aware of the America Supports You site on the World Wide
Web.

“We want to refer as many people as we can to the Web site,
because that’s a way that they can demonstrate (their
support) and all the men and women who are serving can pull up
and see how America is expressing their gratitude,� he said.
“We think that American companies have a responsibility to
show their support for the men and women who serve. We
believe that all Americans … should participate in these
efforts.�

Donahue said he believes it’s important to keep the troops
and their mission in the front of people’s minds. To work
toward that goal, the company is considering events to
promote the America Supports You message on other holidays
throughout the year.

“We love being able to be a part of America Supports You,
because I think at the end of the day, it’s all about values
and some of those traditional beliefs that all of us
share,� he said.