Contact: Al Cecere, American Eagle Foundation, 865-256-0372

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., Nov. 24 /Standard Newswire/ -- In 1782, Ben Franklin favored the Turkey as his choice to become the prestigious national bird of the United States. But the other founding fathers at the Second Continental Congress basically told him to go fly a kite, and voted the Bald Eagle to represent their young country instead.

Two hundred twenty-six years later, the American Eagle Foundation's celebrity bald eagle "Challenger" plans to celebrate that nearly unanimous congressional decision by enjoying some tasty organic turkey on Thanksgiving Day at his private Dollywood home in Tennessee.

"If Ben had gotten his way, we'd be known as a Nation of Turkeys rather than a Nation of Eagles," said AEF President Al Cecere. "I'm happy the Turkey did not become America's freedom symbol."

Like other hard-working Americans, the internationally-known raptor will observe the holiday in a special way with a few feathered friends -- putting aside his normal food favorites of trout, salmon and quail for a day.

The majestic bird is famous for his soul-stirring educational flight demonstrations during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner at many professional and college baseball and football sports events. He's the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history to perform such feats.

In fact, he's soared into packed stadiums at the MLB World Series, NFL Pro- Bowl All-Star Game, Olympics, BCS National Championship, Fiesta Bowl, and Men's Final Four, and has appeared on talk shows like Good Morning America, Letterman, Larry King and Fox & Friends.

"I don't expect you'll ever see him confronting a wild turkey on the Jerry Springer Show," Cecere stated.

For an unfortunate eagle blown from a nest as a baby 19 years ago and raised by humans, Challenger now has a lot to be grateful for.

After all, what other animal in the world has had its image featured both on a historic legal tender commemorative coin being sold by the United States Mint and on a state license plate, which have raised millions of dollars to help protect Challenger's relatives in the wild.

The high-mileage frequent flyer also has a popular children's storybook titled "Challenger, America's Favorite Eagle" in stores nationally, a hit music video on YouTube, and, of course, his own MySpace site. An animated motion picture based upon his life story is on the drawing board.

He's even had his stately profile on a number of national magazine covers, and other big celebrities like Dolly Parton, Bill Clinton, Garth Brooks, Donald Trump, Muhammad Ali, and Paul McCartney have proudly had their photos taken with him.

"It's been wonderful traveling coast to coast with this special bird for so many years," said Cecere. "He's accomplished great things for his species and inspired millions of people too."

But Americans won't be seeing Challenger spread his wings at a Dallas Cowboys football game or riding a float during the Macy's Parade on Nov. 27 this year.

However, he just might be watching a little TV after he bites into his sushi-like farm-raised turkey feast.

After all, anything is possible in America - and for that we should be very thankful.