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
Fox News reported that a break through in Ethical stem cell research had been made and it involved skin cells. The stem cells are supposed help diseases such as diabetis
The president is a lot more comfortable around the turkey now than he was his first Thanksgiving in the White House! LOL!
Thanks for all your hard work and thanks for Sanity Island!
You're welcome.
Sleep well and pleasant dreams
Thanks! It will be!
I think it’s even supposed to finally be fall weather
on Thanksgiving too. It’s been in the 80s! Nice, but
kind of weird!
Nighty-night, Snugs!
It’s always good to see you, even if you have already
left the room!
(((hugs)))
Last night was the first time I saw them since 1998. Oh, SCB...they had such a light show, and flames and snow!!! It's classical music in a rock style...and they started with a Christmas story...with red/green/white grids of laser lights and snow and bells and ...oh MY!
Thank you and the same to you my FRiend.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
It sounds wonderful. Are there any other shows around here?
They are in Anaheim tonight. They only do San Diego once a year, and I don’t know if the Cox arena at SDSU is always their venue. It sure was a great location. We drove to Qualcomm Stadium and took the trolley to SDSU. It was kinda fun. Do a search on You Tube for TSO and enjoy!
NOTICE: Pres. Bush and Laura are coming up soon on Nightline on ABC to talk about how Jenna's fiancee asked for her hand.
Dang ... there was no pre-announcement that I saw anywhere today .. just happen to catch it channel surfing.
They're talking about the holiday flight weather and delays right now.
Thanks!
;)
Just said on Nightline that there will
be more of Charlie Gibson’s interview with
the President tomorrow .. probably again
on ABC World News at 6:30pm ET.
Hi, Kas :) Thank you for the Dose.
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