STAND FOR FREEDOM THE BALD EAGLE!!!
The Issue
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has advised Jo, (Freedom’s caretaker and person that he has strongly bonded to and trusts for over 11 years), that they will be taking Freedom back by the end of December 2026. The AEF management decided they are making procedural changes and will no longer have sub-permittees on the AEF’s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Eagle Exhibition Permit. Jo, a wildlife biologist who has cared for raptors for 36 years, is currently an AEF USFWS Eagle Exhibition Permit sub-permittee. This action will abruptly and permanently remove Freedom from his HOME in West Virginia, remove him from his caretaker (Jo) and sever the special relationship they share.
Relocating Freedom will cause high stress that will be devastating to his mental and physical well being. Jo is heartbroken for Freedom and the veterans, families, and communities he serves. Freedom has been a SIGNIFICANT and regular part of the PTSD/Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV for 11 years.
The pair are a highlight and integral part of this therapy program and the mental health professionals who work with these Veterans have consistently observed that their patients (the Veterans), have a changed demeanor after seeing Freedom. The Veterans are upbeat and relaxed, and have an increased capacity for interaction. The Veterans, their families & staff LOVE Freedom and consider him “their” Eagle. Freedom is the living symbol of why they served and what they fought for.
The therapists say the Veterans are extremely excited when they hear that Jo & Freedom are coming for their monthly visit. The Veterans say having Freedom with them is the highlight of their recovery program. Freedom’s time with the Veterans honors and appreciates their service as nothing else can. Freedom visits a new group of veterans every month and he has touched the lives of thousands of Veterans. Freedom & Jo also serve first responders, active-duty military, Veterans affiliated with Operation Coming Home, Valley Health Care Veterans Program, the WV Veteran’s Nursing Home facility, Motown Marines, the USO, Walter Reed, school children, underserved communities in West Virginia and inner-city schools around the country. Freedom & Jo have touched thousands of lives, changing them forever, for the better.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP FREEDOM STAY HOME IN WEST VIRGINIA?
SIGN THIS PETITION!!!
COPY THE LINK FOR THIS PETITION AND POST IT TO YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE ASKING ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN IT, ASK THEM TO POST IT TO THEIR PAGE, ASKING ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS TO SIGN IT. SO ON & SO FORTH.
Our GOAL is to obtain 10,000+ signatures in 30 DAYS. STAND FOR FREEDOM!!!
Please visit Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s website at: https://www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories and VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR FREEDOM TO REMAIN IN HIS HOME WITH JO, IN WEST VIRGINIA. Additionally, you may also submit a letter to Senator Capito’s office in support & mail to: Senator Shelley Moore Capito, 500, Virginia Street East, Suite 950, Charleston, WV 25301.
**UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE WE TO CONTACT THE AMERICAN EAGLE FOUNDATION (AEF).
EMAIL THE LINK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
73
The Issue
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has advised Jo, (Freedom’s caretaker and person that he has strongly bonded to and trusts for over 11 years), that they will be taking Freedom back by the end of December 2026. The AEF management decided they are making procedural changes and will no longer have sub-permittees on the AEF’s U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Eagle Exhibition Permit. Jo, a wildlife biologist who has cared for raptors for 36 years, is currently an AEF USFWS Eagle Exhibition Permit sub-permittee. This action will abruptly and permanently remove Freedom from his HOME in West Virginia, remove him from his caretaker (Jo) and sever the special relationship they share.
Relocating Freedom will cause high stress that will be devastating to his mental and physical well being. Jo is heartbroken for Freedom and the veterans, families, and communities he serves. Freedom has been a SIGNIFICANT and regular part of the PTSD/Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV for 11 years.
The pair are a highlight and integral part of this therapy program and the mental health professionals who work with these Veterans have consistently observed that their patients (the Veterans), have a changed demeanor after seeing Freedom. The Veterans are upbeat and relaxed, and have an increased capacity for interaction. The Veterans, their families & staff LOVE Freedom and consider him “their” Eagle. Freedom is the living symbol of why they served and what they fought for.
The therapists say the Veterans are extremely excited when they hear that Jo & Freedom are coming for their monthly visit. The Veterans say having Freedom with them is the highlight of their recovery program. Freedom’s time with the Veterans honors and appreciates their service as nothing else can. Freedom visits a new group of veterans every month and he has touched the lives of thousands of Veterans. Freedom & Jo also serve first responders, active-duty military, Veterans affiliated with Operation Coming Home, Valley Health Care Veterans Program, the WV Veteran’s Nursing Home facility, Motown Marines, the USO, Walter Reed, school children, underserved communities in West Virginia and inner-city schools around the country. Freedom & Jo have touched thousands of lives, changing them forever, for the better.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP FREEDOM STAY HOME IN WEST VIRGINIA?
SIGN THIS PETITION!!!
COPY THE LINK FOR THIS PETITION AND POST IT TO YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE ASKING ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN IT, ASK THEM TO POST IT TO THEIR PAGE, ASKING ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS TO SIGN IT. SO ON & SO FORTH.
Our GOAL is to obtain 10,000+ signatures in 30 DAYS. STAND FOR FREEDOM!!!
Please visit Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s website at: https://www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories and VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR FREEDOM TO REMAIN IN HIS HOME WITH JO, IN WEST VIRGINIA. Additionally, you may also submit a letter to Senator Capito’s office in support & mail to: Senator Shelley Moore Capito, 500, Virginia Street East, Suite 950, Charleston, WV 25301.
**UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE WE TO CONTACT THE AMERICAN EAGLE FOUNDATION (AEF).
EMAIL THE LINK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
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Petition created on September 14, 2026