WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (Reuters) — For the last time in a time-honored tradition, outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday (November 23) pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate at a ceremony in the Rose Garden.
Obama spared Tater and Tot, both 18-week old, 40-pound turkeys raised in raised in Northwest Iowa, from being dressed and turned into a Thanksgiving feast.
The names for this year’s lucky birds were chosen by Iowa schoolchildren in a naming competition.
Obama, who was joined by his two nephews, had fun with his choice of words in this year’s 69th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation.
“I want to take a moment to recognize the brave turkeys, who didn’t get to ride the gravy train to freedom; who met their fate with courage and sacrifice, and proved that they weren’t chicken,” Obama joked.
He then took a more serious tone with the American public as he fulfilled some of his last duties before transitioning the U.S. Presidency to President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
“Let me just say one last thing before I spare these turkeys lives. On this Thanksgiving, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the American people for the trust that you’ve placed in me over these last eight years and the incredible kindness you’ve shown my family. On behalf of Michelle and my mother-in-law and my girls, we want to thank you so very very much.”
Turkeys Tater and Tot will spend the remainder of their lives being cared for by the Virginia Tech’s Animal and Poultry Sciences Department in a newly created exhibit called “Gobblers Rest.”
Later in the day, the first family will participate in a community service event to help the needy as they do every year at Thanksgiving.