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As his presidency comes to an end, Biden pardons turkeys in a traditional ceremony. Despite the political context, the president took the chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden has pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing his gratitude for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be joining the ranks of free birds in the United States. He pardoned them based on their behavior and commitment to society. Biden also noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his thanks and gratitude as his presidency comes to a close.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude for the country.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard over the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," was stated.
"He told the audience at the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is ‘stay calm and eat up,’" Mr. Biden said, wearing his characteristic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he spared from being eaten over the course of four years.
The president’s tone shifted to a more serious one as he recognized the significant fact that the holiday season signified the final phase of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service, which had spanned over five decades.
"This season marks my final address as your president, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. He continued by expressing that serving as president has been the greatest honor of his life, and he will always be thankful.
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this time, 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 a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families and what truly matters in life.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration created uncertainty in the nation’s capital. This event hinted at changes to the norms and traditions President Biden valued during his time in office. Despite this, he left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, people always persevere and never give up. They continue to push forward and maintain their belief in a positive outcome.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, please refer to his biography.
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