SPECIAL OPS is about ONF’s special projects as seen below. ONF also develops campaigns for other non-partisan, non-profit organizations supporting our military service members and their families.

GOLD STAR FAMILY BILLBOARDS offer families and friends of fallen heroes a way to share memories and expressions through outdoor billboards. They can also share stories behind their billboards at BILLBOARD INTEL.

What is a “Gold Star Family?” A Gold Star Family (mom, dad, wife, husband or sibling) is a family member who has lost a loved one fighting for our everyday liberties that so many people take for granted. Those lost are not faceless people or statistics - they are someone’s son, daughter, mother, father, fiancé, spouse, cousin, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, friend or neighbor. These families did not lose a hero. They lost a loved one who became a hero giving his or her life to defend and preserve our freedoms.

A “Blue Star Family” is the family of a service member on deployment. Most of the ONF general billboards have random troop support messages for our deployed and their families. The Gold Star Family billboards are personalized for specific loved ones killed in action.

The Gold Star Family campaign format displays a fallen hero posing with a family member… mother, father, husband, wife, child, brother, sister, grandparent, battle-buddy, cousin, niece, nephew, friend or even pet companion. Outdoor billboards are only seen at a glance because of the digital rotation with other advertisers; Images need to be sharp, clear and not too busy. If you would like to submit a photo for a free billboard (and story), see the BILLBOARD INTEL page for more information.

ONF contributes so that those men and women who chose to serve and protect our country, for us and for our future generations, will NEVER be forgotten. One billboard at a time is dedicated for one fallen hero at a time. These enormous graphics are never big enough to remind Americans that freedom is not free! May our heroes and their families always be honored. Gold Star Families receive tremendous comfort when knowing others keep their loved ones in their minds and hearts. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

 

HOMECOMING BILLBOARDS. ONF creates giant “Welcome Home” billboards for specific military units returning home to their family and friends. ONF communicates with sources about the return of companies, battalions, squadrons, coastguardsmen, and ship level units to prepare the public in thanking our service members. Billboard space is only in cities with digital capability and public service announcement availability.

 

FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES campaigns are created for Snowball Express. ONF helps promote for the gathering events for thousands of kids and families left behind since 9-11. Snowball Express brings fun, networking, new friends, pride, hope and memories to so many children! Watch for these special billboards and please visit Snowball Express to learn more about how they help children, single mothers and single fathers pick up the pieces. Programs by Snowball Express along with ONF billboards campaigns help keep the memories alive while these children grow up with great pride. They will know that America cares and that their parent will never be forgotten!

RUN FOR HEROES AND WALK FOR FREEDOM! Billboards by ONF lead the trails for non-partisan special events such as FREEDOM WALK by American Supports You, and Run-for-the-Fallen.

America Supports You (ASY) is a Department of Defense program that provides opportunities for citizens to show their support for the US Armed Forces. To honor and reflect on the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to salutes our men and women serving during Global War on Terrorism, FREEDOM WALK events will be held nationwide, each year during the week of September 11. In the spirit of remembrance, ONF billboard campaigns will be paving the way... saturating America's highways with rememberance messages. People will walk hand-in-hand past giant billboards with heavy hearts and proud smiles! To start a FREEDOM WALK in your town, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.

Starting June 14, 2008, a dedicated team of runners ran cross country from Fort Irwin, CA to Arlington National Cemetery. They ran one-mile for every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, and Marine killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. For ten weeks, team members marked each mile with an American flag and sign-card as a nonpartisan reflection of remembrance for each service member fallen. Run-for-the-Fallen encourages other support organizations to lead-up their own run/walk benefits in their own local town. ONF will help support your event in your area if digital billboard PSA space is available. For more information about this memorable cross-country event visit Run-for-the-Fallen.

GOLD STAR FAMILY RECOGNITION CARDS show billboards for fallen heroes on highways or city streets. Pictures of billboards have been made into recognition cards for surviving families. These compassionate cards are mailed to families to let them know of the widespread support and recognition for their loved one’s honorable service. Families are welcome to send pictures to consider being added to the ONF gold star family billboard campaigns.

WOUNDED WARRIOR APPRECIATION CARDS are also produced for our wounded warriors. Just knowing about the special campaigns for these veterans can help heal the wounds of the heart after dedicating and sacrificing so much for us and our nation.

CAR-WASH-OPS thank our troops and at the same time is a promotional opportunity for carwash companies. ONF supports carwash managers with an advertising concept that will attract customers knowing that their carwash will support our troops. ONF supplies managers with promotional posters, newspaper ads, radio spots and a link to their website. In return, a negotiable percentage of carwash sales at the time of the promotion is contributed to ONF. Please contact Linda for more information.

WALL POSTERS are made from ONF’s most popular billboards. With the support by Meteor, 24” X 20” posters can be purchased for only $25 per poster (the cost of paper and ink). Posters will be shipped in tubes, and then buyers will need to matt and frame on their own. Vote for your favorite message from the ONF general billboards to help pick the next printed posters.