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President Biden performed a traditional Thanksgiving ritual by pardoning two turkeys, marking his last time doing so as the president. During the ceremony, he expressed gratitude towards the country for allowing him the chance to serve as president, regardless of political affiliations.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the president. He mentioned that over the past four years, he had pardoned several pairs of turkeys, and this year, Peach and Blossom were the lucky ones to be pardoned. He also mentioned that this event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his thanks and gratitude for being able to serve as the president.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude for the nation.
During a short speech, a few jokes were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president gave a speech next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard over the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing those in the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," expressed the president.
Speaking to the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that his motto is to "stay calm and keep moving forward." He wore his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more solemn one as he recognized that the holidays signified the final period of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service that spanned over five decades.
"This is my final speech as president during this time, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they celebrated with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize what is truly important to us: our loved ones.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at a potential change in the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, President Biden shared a simple and non-political message with those present at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to push forward and have faith.
Zach Montague is a journalist from the Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. Learn more about Zach Montague.
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