Taking Flight
Eagles for Veterans (EFV) is a Maine-based nonprofit organization recognizing veterans across the country. We currently have two artisans (our Founder James McCain and Board Member Jim Oliver) who donate 165 hours to handcraft each Eagle. We carve out of Maine grown, eastern white pine and gild each Eagle in 23k gold leaf. Our Eagles are in the classic Bellamy* style with crossed flags as shown in the Gallery of Our Eagles. Except for the power tools and drill used for prep work and attaching the head to the body, the work is accomplished with hand gouges and knives.
EFV currently produces up to eight Eagles per year. With over 3,000 veterans’ posts across the country, we recognize our work has just begun. Through donations we aim to extend our reach by hiring two skilled craftspeople to support James and Jim who will continue to volunteer their time towards creating each Eagle.
Our Eagles are presented to three types of organizations that are recognized for their support to veterans and their families:
- Membership-focused groups such as the American Legion, AMVETS, and the VFW
- Veteran support nonprofits such as The Travis Mills Foundation and The House in the Woods
- Government ran organizations such as the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery
*John Haley Bellamy (b.1836-d.1914) lived in Kittery, Maine is the country’s best-known Folk-Art carver of Patriotic Eagles.