“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
— Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Every year on the Fourth of July, Americans come together to celebrate the birth of a nation. On that day in 1776, the thirteen colonies boldly declared their independence from Great Britain, igniting a journey toward democracy and freedom that continues to evolve today. While traditions vary from coast to coast, fireworks light up the night sky as a unifying celebration of liberty. But beyond the brilliant bursts of color, other powerful symbols of American freedom quietly soar.
The Stars and Stripes of the American flag wave proudly across the nation, carrying with it the weight of freedom and resilience. A bald eagle gliding effortlessly across the sky, stirs a feeling of patriotic pride. The bald eagle was my grandfather’s favorite bird, and I grew up admiring its fierce beauty and strength. Its flight, so bold and assured, feels like a living embodiment of the ideals we celebrate on Independence Day.
The bald eagle has represented the United States since 1782, chosen for its majesty, independence, and long life. While eagles have been revered symbols of power since ancient Rome and remain sacred in many Native American cultures, it wasn’t until 2024 that the bald eagle was formally signed into law as the official national bird and symbol of the United States, solidifying what Americans had felt for centuries.
Yet this noble bird has not always soared without struggle. By the mid-20th century, bald eagles were on the brink of extinction. Pesticides like DDT, habitat loss, and hunting decimated their population. In 1963, fewer than 500 nesting pairs remained. But with the passage of the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940 and the banning of DDT in 1972, a recovery effort began. It wasn’t easy, but America’s national symbol proved as resilient as the nation itself.
The Spirit of Resilience: Jackie and Shadow
That spirit is perhaps best seen today through the stories of individual eagles—like Jackie and Shadow, the beloved breeding pair who live in Big Bear Valley, California. For years, this pair has captured the hearts of thousands through live-streamed nest cams, though their efforts to raise chicks had met heartbreak. This year was different. Jackie and Shadow successfully raised two eaglets, who both fledged the nest, spreading their wings to begin lives of their own.
I was introduced to Jackie and Shadow through a colleague and with millions around the world we watched these tiny fluffballs grow into full-fledged raptors in real time. We laughed when Shadow landed in the nest with a branch twice his size pinning Jackie down, much to what seemed to be her annoyance. We cheered as the parents worked tirelessly to protect the eaglets from the heavy snow and predators, and to feed their young. Jackie, the fierce mother, was caught on camera wing-slapping at nighttime intruders, determined to defend her nest. My heart ached when on a sunny morning as the snow began to melt the three hungry chicks turned to two, a harsh reality of nature. Watching the journey of eggs to eaglets to fledged juveniles, Sunny and Gizmo, was a tender, real-time lesson in persistence, teamwork, and the wild beauty of nature. Their success was more than a wildlife milestone, it was a moment of shared joy and pride, reminding us that resilience and hope are worth waiting for.
Kere: Healing, Innovation, and a Second Chance
Then there’s Kere, a young bald eagle who became a national story after being found injured with a gash from knee to ankle in Hayward park Wisconsin. There was little chance of her survival as no healthy skin remained around the wound.
Kim Ammann, DVM, founder of Wisconsin’s Winged Freedom Raptor Hospital, was not ready to give up on Kere. Looking for innovative alternatives, Ammann found the Icelandic company Kerecis. Kerecis has developed the use of intact fish skin to support tissue regeneration for human medical use. After learning about Kere’s condition, Kerecis provided the materials at no cost for the grafts to be used on this bald eagle.
Kere became the first bald eagle for this type of treatment. A treatment that worked. Throughout Kere’s 10 month treatment she put her trust in those humans caring for her. With the support of the Windged Freedom Raptor Hospital, and Kere’s will to live, she was released back into the wild on June 22, 2025.
Her return to the skies is more than a happy ending; it’s a soaring reminder of human innovation, compassion, and the belief that second chances matter.
Soaring Symbols for a Changing Nation
As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, the stories of Jackie, Shadow, and Kere offer something more personal than just patriotic pride. They remind us that freedom isn’t only about independence. It’s about responsibility, resilience, and the care we show for each other and the world we share.
Whether it’s a flag waving in the breeze or a bald eagle taking flight, these symbols endure because they grow with us. They reflect not just where we’ve been, but who we still strive to become.
This Independence Day, look up. Look for the symbols of freedom soaring overhead of strength, struggle, and hope.
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