Former Iraq hostage Tommy Hamill joined American Eagle Foundation (AEF) staff members as two eaglets born in captivity under the care and supervision of the AEF are released on July 23 from a hacking tower (artificial nest) at Douglas Lake in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
“We are honored that Tommy has chosen to participate in our final eaglet release for the 2004 season,” said AEF President Al Cecere. “While these majestic eagles symbolize our country’s precious freedoms, Tommy certainly embodies the freedom we all value and enjoy.”
Hamill assisted AEF staff members in opening the doors to the hacking cage enabling the eaglets to take their first flights into the wild. On the day before the release, he assisted the AEF in placing transmitters and wing markers on the birds.
Prior to freeing the eaglets, attendees participated in a special prayer by Chief Carl Two Feathers Whitaker for President Bush, U.S. Troops, other hostages, civilians working to rebuild Iraq and World Peace.
Hamill, a civilian truck driver from Macon, Miss., garnered national attention when he was taken hostage on April 9 after his convoy was ambushed. He escaped his captors on May 2 and was rescued by U.S. troops.
“The bald eagle has served as the living symbol of the United States’ freedom, spirit and determination,” said Hamill.  “Through the efforts of many conservation groups, including the leadership of the American Eagle Foundation, the bald eagle’s recovery from near extinction is truly inspiring.  I’m proud to be an American and proud to be part of this ceremony today.”
One of the eaglets was named “Spirit” by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Republican – TN). The other was named “Victory” by Jesse A. Lewis (U.S. Marine Corps veteran), Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer for K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc (Food City Supermarkets) and President of Misty Mountain Spring Water Company.
Hatched 13 weeks ago at the AEF’s Dollywood-based eagle breeding center in Pigeon Forge, the eaglets were moved to the hacking tower at six weeks of age. AEF staff members have been caring for and monitoring the progress of the eaglets with minimum human contact at the hacking facility, which is located on private property near Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tenn.
According to Cecere, an eagle can live 40 years in the wild. However, even in the wild, only half will survive beyond the first year. Many die as a result of injuries from gunshots, power lines, traps, poisons and contaminants.
For more information contact Al Cecere, AEF President & CEO, at 865-429-0157 (office), 865-256-0372 (mobile), eaglemail@eagles.org or Pete Owens, Dollywood Public Relations Manager, at 865-428-9486 or powens@dollywood.com.

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