McDonald's Press Release

Orlando, Fla. – May 2, 2007 – In Florida throughout the month of May McDonald’s will be providing a “Taste of Home” to the military offering a variety of opportunities to recognize and thank our men and women serving in the armed forces. We are also asking for the public’s help in thanking our troops by logging on to www.ShareaTasteofHome.com, selecting a greeting card and then creating a message. The site will be live May 1. Each card will be printed and shipped by June 1 for delivery to the designated location.

May is Military Appreciation Month and also marks the launch of McDonald’s new Southern Style Chicken sandwich and biscuit. In order to provide a “Taste of Home” McDonald’s is offering their newest southern comfort food to the thousands of men and women who are stationed throughout Florida by connecting with local military bases and organizations.

In Orlando on May 17 at Patrick Air Force Base, McDonald’s will supply food and drinks for the annual Armed Forces Day BBQ. McDonald’s will provide Southern Style Chicken Sandwiches, Sweet Tea and coupons for free food after the event to all of those who attend the event.

Military in Central Florida
Naval Air Station Melbourne was used for gunnery training and was a base for Navy WAVES. The U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base at Fort Pierce saw the joint training of Navy and Army personnel in amphibious landings. Fort Pierce was also the site of a scouts and raiders school and an underwater demolition training facility. Orlando became an important training site for the Army Air Forces.

The civil air schools at Orlando Air School and Rollins College were used for training both American and Allied pilots, and the Army also set up two training operations there for its amphibious Air Combat Control Squadrons.
Ocala, Lakeland, Avon Park, and Arcadia were also the sites of civilian operated air schools that trained pilot cadets destined for military aviation. These air schools were vital during the time leading up to the war when the Army Air Corps was desperate for trained pilots. The schools were so successful that they expanded their facilities during the war as they became important training bases for Allied pilots sent to the United States for training.
The Tampa and St. Petersburg areas were vital sites for the training of Army pilots. MacDill Air Force Base is active to this day. Tampa was also important for the wartime shipbuilding industry. The Tampa Shipbuilding and Engineering Company (TASCO) was Tampa's largest wartime employer, and concrete ships were constructed at Hooker’s Point Yard.

Florida Military Personnel
Army 2,982
Navy & Marine Corps 23,223
Air Force 24,526
Coast Guard 4,757
Active Duty Military 50,731
Reserve and National Guard 53,902
Total Personnel 109,390

About McDonald’s New Southern Style Chicken Sandwich and Biscuit
McDonald’s newest menu item features a perfectly seasoned, lightly breaded all white meat chicken breast served on a new homemade tasting biscuit for breakfast or with two pickles on a steamed buttery tasting bun for lunch or dinner.

About McDonald’s
McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States, serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. Each year McDonald's restaurants in Florida generate nearly $322.1 million in tax revenue due to the creation of new jobs and additional purchases of goods and services from other local businesses. McDonald's contributes more than $2.2 million per day to the local economy. For more information on McDonald's, visit www.mcdonalds.com.