President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden began their final holiday season at the White House on Monday with the traditional turkey pardoning ceremony and the arrival of the official Christmas tree. Later, they travelled to New York City to host a “friendsgiving” meal for US Coast Guard members and their families.
“We owe you. We owe your families,” President Biden told service members at the US Coast Guard Sector New York on Staten Island. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” The event was part of Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, aimed at supporting military families. The First Lady expressed her gratitude, saying, “With all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice”, reported Associated Press (AP).
The couple donned aprons bearing the presidential seal and joined the serving line, dishing out roasted Brussels sprouts to Coast Guard members. Celebrity chef Robert Irvine assisted in preparing the menu, which featured turkey, ham, traditional side dishes, and desserts.
First lady Jill Biden, second right, walks with her grandson Beau Biden, right, to receive the official 2024 White House Christmas Tree on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm from Newland, N.C., provided the Fraser fir that will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House. (AP)
Earlier in the day, under sunny skies at the White House, Biden pardoned two turkeys named Peach and Blossom, ensuring they would live out their lives at Farmamerica, an agricultural education centre in Minnesota. Addressing the 2,500 guests gathered on the South Lawn, Biden reflected on his political career and expressed gratitude for the honour of serving as president. “It’s been the honour of my life. I’m forever grateful,” he said.
The president joked about the birds’ names, noting Peach’s motto: “Keep calm and gobble on,” and Blossom’s: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” The turkeys were raised by John Zimmerman, a Minnesota farmer and president of the National Turkey Federation, which has been gifting turkeys to US presidents since the Truman administration.
While President Harry Truman reportedly preferred to eat the birds, the tradition of pardoning them became an official ceremony under President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
The First Lady also welcomed the official White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot Fraser fir from North Carolina. The tree, named “Tremendous” by Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm, symbolises resilience after the farm lost thousands of trees during Hurricane Helene. Jill Biden praised the tree, saying, “It represents extraordinary hope.”
The Bidens began their farewell to the presidency with a gala on Friday night on the South Lawn, attended by friends, donors, Cabinet members, and long-serving staff. Addressing the crowd, Biden said, “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America.”
Despite being forced to step down from the Democratic ticket earlier this year and witnessing Vice President Kamala Harris lose the election to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, Biden struck a hopeful tone. “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service,” he said.
The reins of power will officially pass to Trump on January 20, marking the end of Biden’s single term as president.
(with inputs from AP)
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Source: politics.einnews.com…
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