A portable message sign having a housing and a front surface angled with respect to a rear surface and an array of light emitting devices (such as LEDs) being angled so that the LEDs are parallel to the horizon. The LEDs are mounted at an angle to a printed circuit board (PCB), which is mounted between the front and rear surfaces. In one embodiment, the pins of the LEDs are of different lengths so that when mounted to the PCB the lens of the LED directs light at an angle with respect to the PCB. In another embodiment, a strip of hard material is laid down next to the holes in the PCB that through mount LEDs are inserted, which cause the LED to mount at an angle.