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President Biden granted pardons to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, he utilized the light-hearted event as a way to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a yearly ceremony at the White House and expressed gratitude for his time as president. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that this year, Peach and Blossom would be pardoned based on their behavior and contributions to society. He also noted that this event signals the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and reflected on his time as president, expressing thanks and gratitude to the American people.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that dates back 77 years and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and humorous remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each. These birds were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president was heard speaking next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated in the text.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he lives by the motto of staying calm and appreciating the birds. He was wearing his trademark aviators as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his time in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more somber one as he recognized the significant fact that the holiday season signified the end of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over 50 years.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time of year, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey to you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they were 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 should take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, President Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is never an option. He emphasized the importance of continuing on and staying hopeful.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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