Verne Metcalf, long time Alva pharmacist, recently donated his bald eagle collection to the Cherokee Strip Museum. When Verne came to Alva, he worked for Schuhmacher Drug from 1975 until 1994 He then worked at the Walmart pharmacy from 1994 until 2000 and then Holders Drug became his home from 2000 until his retirement in 2013.

Verne and his wife Gloria have been traveling extensively since their retirement and have many more places to see and do.

Verne has always been interested in eagles. He has studied and admired them for many years. He would go over to the Salt Plains and watch these majestic birds. In the fall he would take part in the eagle bird watch that takes place each October. The late Leo Treadway, longtime friend of Verne, also loved eagles and got Verne interested in collecting statues and sculptures of bald eagles.

The bald eagle is America's national symbol. It appears on the official national seal. Benjamin Franklin did not want the eagle for the national symbol because he thought "It was bird of bad moral character who did not get his living honestly," Franklin said. "He was too lazy to fish for himself and steals fish and food from other birds." Franklin felt the turkey would have been a more appropriate symbol. He considered it a more respectable bird and a true native of America. However, on June 20, 1782, federal lawmakers chose the bald eagle to be the emblem of the United States of America because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks. Also the bald eagle is found only in North America and it represents freedom.

The beautiful eagle once numbered 100,000 but declined to low levels of 500 pairs in the mid 1800s. DDT was thought to be one of the reasons for the decline of the bird. In 1978 the eagle was placed on the endangered species list. The year 2007 brought about complete removal of the bald eagle from this list.

Treadway ordered a recasting of the Jules Moigniez bronze sculpture titled "THE EAGLE." The limited edition was produced utilizing the Lost Wax Method of casting bronze. It stands 32 inches high and weighs 60 lbs. When the order arrived, it turned out to be an American Eagle and not the Bald Eagle Treadway wanted. Verne decided to purchase the eagle and thus started his eagle collection of approximately 40 eagles in many sizes, shapes and forms.

Verne wanted to share his beautiful collection of bald eagles with others and chose to donate them to the Cherokee Strip Museum. They are on display in the Lincoln room on the second floor of the museum. The museum invites you to stop by and enjoy this beautiful collection of America's national symbol.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday at 1 p.m. and available for special tours.