{"id":18903,"date":"2024-11-26T02:57:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T02:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=18903"},"modified":"2024-11-26T02:57:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T02:57:46","slug":"bidens-celebrate-final-white-house-holiday-season-with-turkey-pardons-and-coast-guard-friendsgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=18903","title":{"rendered":"Bidens celebrate final White House holiday season with Turkey pardons and coast guard \u2018friendsgiving\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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 \u201cfriendsgiving\u201d meal for US Coast Guard members and their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe owe you. We owe your families,\u201d President Biden told service members at the US Coast Guard Sector New York on Staten Island. \u201cThank you, thank you, thank you.\u201d The event was part of Jill Biden<\/a>\u2019s Joining Forces initiative, aimed at supporting military families. The First Lady expressed her gratitude, saying, \u201cWith all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice\u201d, reported\u00a0Associated Press (AP).<\/em><\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

\"Biden 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\u2019s Christmas Tree Farm from Newland, N.C., provided the Fraser fir that will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House. (AP)<\/span><\/p>\n

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. \u201cIt\u2019s been the honour of my life. I\u2019m forever grateful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The president joked about the birds\u2019 names, noting Peach\u2019s motto: \u201cKeep calm and gobble on,\u201d and Blossom\u2019s: \u201cNo fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

\"Festive<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The First Lady also welcomed the official White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot Fraser fir<\/a> from North Carolina. The tree, named \u201cTremendous\u201d by Cartner\u2019s Christmas Tree Farm, symbolises resilience after the farm lost thousands of trees during Hurricane Helene. Jill Biden praised the tree, saying, \u201cIt represents extraordinary hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cI\u2019m so proud that we\u2019ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite being forced to step down from the Democratic ticket earlier this year and witnessing Vice President Kamala Harris<\/a> lose the election to Republican President-elect Donald Trump<\/a>, Biden struck a hopeful tone. \u201cI fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The reins of power will officially pass to Trump on January 20, marking the end of Biden\u2019s single term as president.<\/p>\n

(with inputs from AP)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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