ROSSFORD, Ohio — On Eagle Point Road in Rossford, you might expect to see some eagles flying over head and on occasion they do. But now there's been another eagle sighting and it's a big one.
"The eagle's name is Freedom, we live on Eagle Point Road, and it was sort of a no brainer," said homeowner Lee Heckel who has learned quickly that his idea has captured the hearts of everyone who sees it.
The eagle is a larger than life symbol of America, carved from the heart of an old maple tree in the yard of Lee and Erika Heckel in the 400 block of Eagle Point Road.
Erika Heckel said they knew the old tree had to come down and they wanted to do something with the stump. They wondered if it would be large enough or solid enough to make a wood carving out it.
"So once we found out that the base was healthy enough to turn into a statue, we jumped at the opportunity," she said.
About eight weeks ago, they called the carving artists from Ice Creations in Napoleon and told them they wanted to use use the stump as the medium for an eagle. A big one.
The artists from Ice Creations went to work on the stump and using their vision, creativity and skills, the head and wings began to take shape.
Erika Heckel said at first their parents thought they were "crazy" for having this done, but she said eventually they changed their minds.
"They watched the entire process and as it started to take shape, they fell in love with it immediately," she said.
So did everyone else. Freedom's popularity has grown quickly with a website called Freedom Eagle which has drawn comments and visitors from all across the country.
Erika Heckel said everyday people drive by to look and take pictures and they don't mind as long as people are respectful of the sculpture and their property.
For the Heckels, the idea of an Eagle had a purpose. They are a patriotic family and Lee Heckel said they don't keep it a secret.
"There is a lot of things in our lives that change, regardless, I'll always be an American, there's no change in that, why not show everybody else?" Lee Heckel said.
After the eagle was finished, Erika Heckel designed and planted a star shaped flower bed of red, white and blue petunias surrounding the eagle. The giant bird is also flanked by several American flags.
Even their little dog is called "Liberty Belle."
Both said they are grateful for the strong positive reaction from the community and that some people who have stopped by to see it have actually broken down in tears.
When asked if "Freedom was everything he hoped it would be," Lee Heckel beamed proudly and said, "Yeah, and a whole lot more."