November 26th 2024.
As the holiday season arrives at the White House, US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, kicked off the festivities with their traditional turkey pardons and the arrival of the Christmas tree. But before they could fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit, the couple made a stop in New York City to host a special "friendsgiving" for members of the US Coast Guard and their loved ones.
Biden expressed his gratitude for the Coast Guard's service and sacrifice during a speech at the US Coast Guard Sector New York, saying, "We owe you. We owe your families. Thank you, thank you, thank you." This meal was a part of the first lady's Joining Forces initiative, which aims to support military families.
With heartfelt appreciation, Jill Biden also thanked the Coast Guard members for their dedication and sacrifice before her husband took the stage. Together, the couple donned aprons with the presidential seal and joined the chow line, serving up a delicious spread that included roasted Brussels sprouts, with the help of celebrity chef Robert Irvine.
Back at the White House, the Bidens continued their holiday traditions by pardoning two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, who will now live out their days on a farm in southern Minnesota instead of ending up on someone's Thanksgiving table. The president welcomed 2500 guests to the South Lawn, joking about the birds' fates and reflecting on his time in Washington as his presidency draws to a close.
"It's been the honor of my life. I'm forever grateful," Biden shared, acknowledging his single term as president. With the transfer of power to Republican president-elect Donald Trump just a few weeks away, the president couldn't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia and pride for his time in office.
As he introduced the turkeys, named after the official flower of his home state of Delaware, Biden couldn't resist making a few puns. Peach, perched atop a nearby table, interrupted his speech with some gobbling, prompting the president to say, "Peach is making a last-minute plea." He then went on to describe Peach as a bird who "lives by the motto, 'Keep calm and gobble on.'"
Blossom, on the other hand, had a different motto according to Biden: "No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice." The two turkeys were raised on the farm of John Zimmerman, who is also the president of the National Turkey Federation. The tradition of gifting turkeys to US presidents began with President Harry Truman after World War II, but official pardon ceremonies didn't become a White House tradition until President George H.W. Bush's administration in 1989.
With their new lease on life, Peach and Blossom will now live out their days at Farmamerica, an agricultural interpretive center in southern Minnesota. The first lady also received the official White House Christmas tree, a 5.64-meter Fraser fir from a farm in western North Carolina. This particular tree, named "Tremendous," survived Hurricane Helene and serves as a symbol of hope for the area that was devastated by the storm.
As the holiday season begins, the Bidens hosted a gala for their friends, supporters, and long-serving staff members on the South Lawn. Despite being forced off the Democratic ticket earlier this year and watching Vice President Kamala Harris lose the election, the couple remained positive and proud of their accomplishments. "I'm so proud that we've done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America," Biden said, dressed in a tuxedo for the black-tie event.
While acknowledging the challenges facing the country, the president also expressed his belief that America is in a better position to lead the world now than ever before, after 50 years of public service. As they continue to say their goodbyes, the Bidens are grateful for their time in the White House and hopeful for the future.
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