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President Biden performed the traditional pardoning of turkeys for the final time during his term in office. Putting politics aside, he took the opportunity during the light-hearted ceremony to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing thanks for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys that he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom were being pardoned this year based on their behavior. Biden also acknowledged that the event marked the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and reflected on his time as president, expressing gratitude for the experience.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that has been carried out for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
During the brief speech, a few light-hearted jokes and 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 the state where Mr. Biden is from.
The president was speaking next to Peach, whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often overshadowing Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared that his motto is "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is my final time addressing you all as your president during this time, and expressing my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to convey that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and the 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 the time to honor those who have experienced the loss of a family member, specifically mentioning 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 is truly important.
Before taking photos with Peach at the ceremony, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden often valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden left attendees with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is highly valued, and people are encouraged to continue pushing forward and maintaining belief in themselves.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. You can find more information about Zach Montague on his profile.
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