The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has advised Jo, Freedom’s caretaker whom he has strongly bonded with for over 11 years, that they will be taking Freedom back by the end of December 2026. The AEF management has 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 subject him to 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. 

For 11 years, Freedom has been a SIGNIFICANT part of the PTSD/Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV.  The therapy that Freedom provides the Veterans is unparalleled.  Mental health professionals who work with these Veterans have consistently observed that the Veterans exhibit a remarkable change in demeanor.  They are more upbeat, positive, relaxed and have a heightened capacity for interaction after seeing Freedom. 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 Veterans say Freedom is the highlight of their recovery program. This program honors and appreciates the Veterans for their service and sacrifice in an extraordinary way.  Freedom visits a new group of Veterans every month.  Freedom & Jo have also served first responders, active-duty military, Operation Coming Home, Valley Health Care Veterans Program, the WV Veteran’s Nursing Home, Motown Marines, the USO, Walter Reed, school children, under served communities in West Virginia and around the country.  Freedom & Jo have touched thousands of Veterans lives and the lives of others, changing them for the better.

OUR GOAL AND SOLUTION IS:  To obtain our own US Fish and Wildlife Service Eagle Exhibition Permit with the support of Senator Capito.   YOU can help us reach our goal by signing this petition AND reaching out to Senator Capito. Our goal is to reach 10,000+ signatures in 30 days!!! 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP FREEDOM STAY HOME IN WEST VIRGINIA:  SIGN THIS PETITION AND CONTACT SENATOR CAPITO.

• SIGN THIS PETITION!!!
• COPY & PASTE THIS PETITION & FORWARD to ALL of your friends, family, coworkers, etc. and ask them to PLEASE sign the petition right away.  Freedom is running out of time.  
• Please visit Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s  website at:  https://www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories and 

  Go to Contact, Drop Down to Share Your Stories and fill out the form to support standing for Freedom. In the Personal Story block, write:  I stand for Freedom the bald eagle staying in WV and serving our Veterans.

• Submit a letter to Senator Capito’s office in support & mail to: 

          The Honorable 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).                                            THEY ARE NOT PART OF OUR SOLUTION.