Washington/New York: President Joe Biden carried out the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning tradition on Monday, sparing two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, from dinner tables. The event also marked the beginning of Biden’s last holiday season as president at the White House.
A Nod to Delaware
Speaking to a crowd of around 2,500 on the White House South Lawn, Biden explained that this year’s turkeys were named after the Delaware state flower, the peach blossom, symbolizing resilience.
“This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It’s also my last time to speak here as your president during this season and give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you — it’s been the honor of my life, I am forever thankful,” Biden said, as one of the turkeys gobbled nearby.
Peach, weighing 41 pounds, enjoys hot dishes, tater tots, and dreams of seeing the Northern Lights. Blossom, a 40-pound turkey, has a fondness for cheese curds and watching boxing, Biden joked during the event.
A Presidential Tradition
The turkey pardoning tradition, which has its roots in 1947 during President Harry Truman’s tenure, became an official White House event in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush. Millions of turkeys, however, will still be prepared in kitchens across the country on Thanksgiving Day, served alongside staples like stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and potatoes.
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Friendsgiving in Staten Island
Later on Monday, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Staten Island for a “Friendsgiving” celebration with members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families. The president expressed his gratitude to the “Coasties” for their service during challenging events, including hurricane rescue missions and the Baltimore bridge collapse response.
“We owe you. We owe your families,” Biden said during the event, addressing hundreds of Coast Guard members and their relatives.
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In keeping with the holiday spirit, the Bidens donned black White House aprons and spent over an hour serving roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash to the attendees, as the cheerful noise of children filled the room. “It sounds just like home,” Jill Biden remarked.
Before departing, Biden humorously returned to the stage, saying, “I’ve just been told I’ve been fired,” and joked about needing to leave due to road closures.
