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President Biden performed his final turkey pardoning ceremony, expressing his gratitude for the chance to serve the nation one last time. The event was a lighthearted moment, devoid of any political undertones.
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President Biden pardoned the last two turkeys of his presidency in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing his gratitude for serving as the leader of the country. He mentioned that he had pardoned other turkeys in the past four years and announced that Peach and Blossom would now be pardoned. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and Biden’s last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his gratitude and said it has been the honor of his life to serve as president.
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 has been around for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The short speech, which had a few jokes and witty remarks, honored Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud sounds were captured by the microphone, often drowning out Mr. Biden’s speech and causing amusement among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute," stated the president.
At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared with the audience his motto of staying calm and enjoying food. He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president changed his demeanor to a more serious one to recognize the emotional reality that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his time as president and potentially the end of his career in public service that has spanned over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food to friends at a holiday gathering. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took time 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 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 significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden frequently praised. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, President Biden concluded the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message for those in attendance.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere. They continue to move forward and maintain their belief in something.
Zach Montague is a journalist from The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile.
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