Obama celebrated Independence Day by plunging into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida Keys as about 100 people applauded and shouted, “Go, Obama!”

(From left to right) Theo Glorie, Ryan Butts, Tom Favelli and Richie Moretti say their farewells to "Obama" before setting the loggerhead free. (Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau)

They weren’t cheering the American president’s swimming skill, however, but that of a 215-pound loggerhead sea turtle dubbed “Obama” — who was released to freedom July 4 after recuperating for five and a half months at Marathon’s internationally renowned Turtle Hospital.

“Obama” was rescued off the Keys on Jan. 19, the day before Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

Key West resident Tom Favelli was out in his 18-foot boat with a friend, 15-year-old Gerald Hernandez, when they spotted the turtle in trouble about a quarter-mile offshore. They called local authorities, who put them in touch with The Turtle Hospital.

“The reason we contacted the authorities was the fact that the turtle was floating on the surface and it was unable to submerge itself,” Tom said.

With coaching from Turtle Hospital administrator Ryan Butts, Tom and Gerald brought the turtle ashore and turned it over to hospital staff for care — after giving it a presidential name.

“We named the turtle ‘Obama’ because we found it around inauguration time,” Tom said.

"Obama" is just one of the loggerheads successfully rehabilitated and released by The Turtle Hospital. Here at right, Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida helps release a turtle near the Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Keys. (Photo by Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau)

Medical tests revealed that the turtle, estimated to be 50 or 60 years old, was suffering from a severe intestinal impaction that caused a body cavity infection. The hospital staff went into high gear and began appropriate treatment. 

“Obama” couldn’t have been in better hands. The Turtle Hospital (www.turtlehospital.org), located in Marathon in the Middle Keys, is the only facility of its kind in the world. Since 1986, hospital founder Richie Moretti and his associates have been treating injured sea turtles and, whenever possible, returning them to the wild. The hospital’s other goals include working toward environmental legislation to make beaches and oceans safer and cleaner for sea turtles.

After five and a half months of recuperation, “Obama” received a clean bill of health. On the morning of July 4, the turtle was transported back to the beach where Tom and Gerald originally brought it to shore.

“The turtle came in at a historic moment and was named after the new president, so we thought it was appropriate to release ‘Obama’ to freedom on America’s Independence Day,” Ryan said.

(FYI, “Obama” traveled comfortably in the hospital’s official Turtle Ambulance — which might not be as fancy as Air Force One, but is pretty impressive nevertheless.)

After a final pat from Ryan Butts, "Obama" heads for home in the waters off the Florida Keys. (Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau)

“When we opened up the back doors of our hospital ambulance and ‘Obama’ the sea turtle smelled that ocean air, that turtle was so excited about getting out to the ocean,” said Ryan.

Carefully Ryan, Richie Moretti, Tom and volunteer Theo Glorie carried “Obama” down the beach between two lines of kids and adults who had gathered to watch the historic release.

When they put “Obama” down near the ocean’s edge, it was abundantly clear that the turtle was healthy and ready for freedom. With single-minded determination and a burst of speed, it headed for the water and home.

“We got the turtle down on the sand and it took off,” Ryan said. “It was so excited and swam away with all the energy it had.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and a few people wiped away unexpected tears, as “Obama” disappeared into the blue Atlantic.

Farewell, Turtle-in-Chief … and fare well.