Stand For Freedom
Please Help Freedom Stay Where He Is Loved
Freedom and I are asking for your help. The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has told me they plan to take Freedom back, and I am reaching out because this would be heartbreaking for him and for the many people whose lives he touches. AEF’s Board of Directors has decided to make changes and move away from working with sub-permittees. I am a sub-permittee under AEF’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Eagle Exhibition Permit, which allows Freedom to be on loan to me. AEF also shared that they are retiring Challenger, the bald eagle who has represented AEF for decades at events, football games, media interviews, and other appearances, and they want Freedom to take his place.
I have asked AEF to reconsider because moving Freedom to a new place, with people he does not know, would be extremely stressful for him. Freedom has been with me for 11 years, and over that time we have built a deep bond of trust. Losing that familiar care and connection would be very hard on him. AEF told me this is a business decision and said they plan to come for Freedom by the end of the year.
My heart aches for Freedom, and for the veterans, families, and communities who have come to know and love him. For 11 years, Freedom has been a steady and meaningful part of the PTSD and substance abuse rehabilitation program for veterans at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV. The veterans, staff, and families love Freedom and consider him their eagle. He is a living symbol of what they fought for. Freedom also serves other veteran organizations and facilities, including the WV Veteran’s Nursing Home, Valley Health Care Veteran’s Program, Operation Coming Home, Motown Marines, our schools, convalescent facilities, and youth organizations.
If Freedom has touched your life, or if you believe he should remain in the place and with the people he knows and trusts, I kindly ask you to help us. Please consider sharing this message, offering your support, or respectfully reaching out to Senator Capito to ask that Freedom be allowed to stay where he is loved, cared for, and continuing to make a difference. See instructions below.
(PLEASE NOTE: We are not involving the AEF in our efforts to Stand for Freedom - no one should be contacting them on our behalf. They are not part of our solution. The AEF does not have authority over Freedom - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does. Senator Capito works very closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)
HOW TO CONTACT U.S. SENATOR SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO OF WV
1) Go to Senator Capito’s webpage at: www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories
Go across the toolbar, click on Contact, then click on Share Your Stories on the drop-down menu. Fill out the Share Your Stories Form, and where it says Please share your personal story, write:
“I stand for Freedom the bald eagle staying in WV with Jo and continuing to serve our Veterans, military, first responders, families, and communities.”
Where it says May we share your stories? Click yes.
We know this takes effort, but this is a reliable way to contact Senator Capito and let her know many people Stand for Freedom. Her staff has been very responsive and is working on this. U.S. Senator Jim Justice cannot help as the AEF does not receive federal funds.
2) Write to Senator Capito at:
The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito, 500 Virginia Street, East Suite 950, Charleston, WV 25301.
With heartfelt thanks,
Jo Santiago, Wildlife Biologist
Flying Higher LLC
P.O. Box 204, Elkins, WV 26241
Feature Image: Patriotic mountian GENAI Text to Image with Stand For Freedom logo; Jo Santiago, Wildlife Biologist and Freedom the Bald Eagle submitted photo.
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