Posted on 11/20/2007 4:43:41 PM PST by Kaslin
Today, President Bush pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey and his alternate during the 60th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. Thousands of votes were cast to name the Thanksgiving Turkey and his alternate
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. Though live Thanksgiving turkeys have been presented intermittently to presidents since the Lincoln administration, the current ceremony dates to 1947, when the first National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented to President Harry Truman.
The presentation at times has brushed against broader history. For example, the November 1963 event was one of President Kennedy's last in the Rose Garden. The first President Bush conducted the 1990 ceremony just before leaving for Thanksgiving with the troops in the Persian Gulf region. President Clinton in 1996 returned from an Asian summit and literally went directly to the ceremony.
The 2007 National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate are from Dubois, Indiana and were raised under the direction of National Turkey Federation Chairman Ted Seger. The 21-week old turkey, will weigh about 45 pounds, when he is driven to Washington.
The National Thanksgiving Turkey was raised using normal feeding and other production techniques. The one exception is they were provided increased interaction with people so that they would be prepared for their role at the White House Ceremony.
Presidents traditionally have granted the National Thanksgiving Turkey a "pardon". After the presentation, the turkey will be flown first class to Disney World in Orlando, where he will be the grand marshal of “Disney’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” After the parade, guests will be able to visit the bird in the backyard of Mickey’s Country House in Magic Kingdom Park.
This morning President Bush pardoned “May and Flower” In the National Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony
After the ceremony President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and First daughter Jenna left for Camp David where they will celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday
President Bush Pardons "May and Flower" in National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. (Applause.) Welcome to the Rose Garden. Thanks for coming. We're glad you're here at the White House. Each of you is taking part in a tradition that goes back to the days of Harry Truman. And to paraphrase Harry today, we have a message for our two feathered friends: You cannot take the heat -- and you're definitely going to stay out of the kitchen. (Laughter.)
I want to thank the representatives of the National Turkey Federation who have joined us -- the Chairman Ted Seger. Appreciate you coming, Ted, thanks. Ted brought his mom. Glad you're here -- seven brothers, and over 30 family members, I think it is. No wonder there are so many people in the Rose Garden. (Laughter.) But we're glad you're here. Welcome.
I also want to welcome President Joel Brandenberger. The turkeys in today's ceremony come from the Seger family farm in Dubois, Indiana. So I guess you can say they come with the Chairman's seal of approval.
I also thank everybody who voted online to choose the names for our guests of honor. And I'm pleased to announce the winning names. They are "May" and "Flower." They're certainly better than the names the Vice President suggested, which was "Lunch" and "Dinner." (Laughter.)
The national observation of Thanksgiving goes back to the days of our founders. They asked Americans to give thanks for a nation that Benjamin Franklin famously compared to a rising sun. Over the years, Americans have found much to be thankful for. We still see our country the way Franklin did -- or, as the poet Carl Sandburg put it: "In the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the hand of God."
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for a harvest big enough to feed us all -- and millions more. We're grateful for citizens who reach out to those who struggle, and for neighbors in need -- from neighbors in need to the strangers they've never met. We're grateful for working Americans who have given us the longest period of uninterrupted job creation on record and a prosperity that lifts our citizens. And we are grateful for one blessing in particular: the men and women of the United States military. They've worn proudly the uniform of our country. They have offered their lives in our defense. And each year, thousands more volunteer to join their noble ranks and to keep us safe. And so on this Thanksgiving, we keep our -- we keep their families and their loved ones in our prayers and in our thoughts.
(Turkeys gobbling.) (Laughter.)
Thank you. (Laughter.)
America's children also have a special place in our thoughts during this season. Don't you agree? Today we're proud to be joined from youngsters from the Camp Fire USA. We're glad you all are here. It's a nationwide organization that helps children become caring and confident future leaders. One of the things Laura and I have been most thankful for over the years is the chance to meet children from across the country and to hear from thousands of others. Some send photos. Some offer prayers. Some of them ask about Barney. A second-grader from California once asked me, do you ever get a headache? Not really -- only when I have a press conference. (Laughter.) Some children send letters with the same -- with the simple phrase, "God bless America." Others write about relatives serving in the war, and they hope I remember them.
Earlier this year, a little girl in Oregon sent me a picture she had drawn. It's a large American flag -- and it stood in the glow of bright orange sun. The spirit that inspired Franklin and Sandburg and other generations of America lives in the heart of this child. She sees America in the light of a rising sun. And so do I, and so do millions of our citizens. It's hard to be anything but grateful when you live in a country full of compassionate and decent citizens -- a land our fathers always knew was blessed by the Almighty God.
And so now I have a task, and that is to grant a full presidential pardon to May and Flower. They'll be shortly flown to Disney World, where they will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I hope that honor doesn't go to their head. (Laughter.) May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling. And may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace. God bless you all. (Applause.)
Enoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the day
Earlier this year, a little girl in Oregon sent me a picture she had drawn. It's a large American flag -- and it stood in the glow of bright orange sun. The spirit that inspired Franklin and Sandburg and other generations of America lives in the heart of this child. She sees America in the light of a rising sun. And so do I, and so do millions of our citizens. It's hard to be anything but grateful when you live in a country full of compassionate and decent citizens -- a land our fathers always knew was blessed by the Almighty God
Photo of the day
Youngsters with Camp Fire USA and other guests join President George W. Bush around May, the 2007 National Thanksgiving turkey, during Rose Garden festivities surrounding its official pardoning Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Happy thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too :)
May, the 2007 National Thanksgiving Turkey, awaits the official pardoning Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, during festivities in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House photo by David Bohrer
Youngsters with Camp Fire USA and other guests join President George W. Bush around May, the 2007 National Thanksgiving turkey, during Rose Garden festivities surrounding its official pardoning Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush offers an official pardon to May, the 2007 Thanksgiving Turkey, during festivities Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House. In pardoning May, and the alternate, Flower, the President said, "May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling. And may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace. God bless you all." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush stands over May, the 2007 National Thanksgiving Turkey, as the turkey becomes the center of focus for the White House media during the Pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President Bush talks on the phone in the Oval Office of the White House before participating in the pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in Washington.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks while pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington November 20, 2007
U.S. President George W. Bush (L) watches as Ryan Downes (R) places "May" on a table before pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, November 20, 2007
President Bush gestures to guests to come forwards as he pardons May, the National Thanksgiving Turkey, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007
U.S. President George W. Bush (L) looks at "May" as he pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, November 20, 2007
U.S. President George W. Bush walks past May, the 2007 National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, November 20, 2007, after May was pardoned by Bush in a ceremony
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks with White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten after pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington November 20, 2007.
President Bush waves as he boards Marine One helicopter on South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 in Washington. Bush is traveling to nearby Camp David to spend the Thanksgiving holiday
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) waves from the steps of Marine One as a pilot watches at the White House in Washington November 20, 2007. Bush flew to the Camp David presidential retreat for the Thanksgiving holidays
President Bush, left, and first lady Laura Bush, right, walk out to the South Lawn of the White House as they preapare to board Marine One helicopter Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 in Washington. Bush is traveling to nearby Camp David to spend the Thanksgiving holiday
President Bush, top, and first lady Laura Bush, bottom, walk across the South Lawn of the White House as they prepare to board Marine One helicopter Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in Washington. Bush is traveling to nearby Camp David to spend the Thanksgiving holiday.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and first lady Laura Bush walk to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, November 20, 2007. The pair flew to the Camp David presidential retreat for the Thanksgiving holidays
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I don’t get to post at this time, these days— but I am thankful for THIS THREAD!
God bless us, every one.
Jenna Bush, daughter of U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush, walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington November 20, 2007. U.S. President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and Jenna flew to the Camp David presidential retreat Tuesday for the Thanksgiving holidays.
Hello all - thanks Kaslin!!!
Gosh, Mrs. B looks fantastic!
Happy Thanksgiving to you also
I was thinking the same thing! That first picture in post 11 is beautiful.
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