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President Biden participated in his final turkey pardoning ceremony, using the event as a way to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president. The ceremony was lighthearted and not focused on politics.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony and expressed his appreciation for serving as the country’s leader. He mentioned that he had pardoned other turkeys in the past and this year, Peach and Blossom are the lucky ones. He also mentioned that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed gratitude and said it has been an honor to serve as president.
Written by Zach Montague
From Washington, providing
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition of doing so and taking a moment to express gratitude for the country.
The brief speech featured only a few jokes and funny comments, acknowledging Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president was speaking next to a turkey named Peach, whose loud sounds were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final appeal," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto of staying relaxed and enjoying the festivities. 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’s demeanor became more serious as he recognized the poignant truth that the holidays signaled the final phase of his presidency, and could potentially signify the end of his career in public service after over five decades.
"This will be my final speech as your president for this term, and I want to express my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to convey to you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life, and I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue their tradition of 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 acknowledged those who have experienced loss, including his late 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.
At President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital. This event may bring about significant changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden cherished during his presidency. Despite this, he offered a straightforward and non-political message to attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and we always maintain hope and continue moving forward no matter what challenges we face.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on news related to the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his page on the
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