Tue Nov 26 02:59:46 UTC 2024: ## Biden Pardons Turkeys, Marks Final White House Thanksgiving
**Washington, D.C. –** President Joe Biden continued a decades-long tradition on Monday, pardoning two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, ahead of Thanksgiving. The event, held on the White House South Lawn, marked Biden’s final Thanksgiving as president. Addressing a crowd of approximately 2,500, Biden noted the symbolic resilience of the peach blossom, the namesake of the turkeys and Delaware’s state flower. He also highlighted the unique personalities of the birds: Peach, a 41-pound bird with a penchant for hotdish and tater tots, and Blossom, a 40-pounder who enjoys cheese curds and boxing.
The tradition of turkey pardoning, while officially commencing in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush, traces its roots back to the Truman administration in 1947. Millions of turkeys across the nation are expected to meet a different fate on Thanksgiving Day.
Following the pardoning, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Staten Island, New York, for a Friendsgiving event. There, they expressed gratitude to members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families for their service, particularly highlighting their roles in recent hurricane relief efforts and the response to a Baltimore bridge collapse. The Bidens personally served food at the event, further emphasizing their appreciation.
First Piper 