Growing up, I was led to believe that Native Americans, or Indians, like the buffalo or bison and the bald eagle, were objects from America's past.

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The wolves also hunt coyotes, meaning the growing bald eagle and hawk populations have more rodents to eat.

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When Benjamin Franklin suggested that the turkey appear on the nation's first seal, the more regal bald eagle won out.

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Eagles are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but they also have their very own law, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which Congress passed in 1940 to protect bald eagles and expanded in 1962 to cover goldens.

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The round, gold medal bears the words "Defense of Freedom" framing a bald eagle holding a shield, meant to represent "the principles of freedom and the defense of those freedoms upon which our nation is founded, " the Defense Department said.

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On the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, Clinton helped release a restless bald eagle named "Freedom, " which had been treated for injuries.

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Our friendly driver, Doug Hilbourn, obligingly stopped to point out a bald eagle perched in a tree and other wildlife along the way.

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