Bush Pardons Final Turkeys06:31PM / Wednesday, November 26, 2008
WASHINGTON — President Bush handed out his last Thanksgiving pardons at a Rose Garden ceremony on Wednesday to two Iowa turkeys, saving them from becoming a holiday feast.
The two toms, according the president, were to fly off on "Turkey One" to DisneyLand, where one was to be the grand marshal of the annual Disney parade.
"This is a tradition that dates back to the presidency of Harry Truman," Bush told the audience, which included children from Cloverly Elementary School. "Just to be safe, I will be pardoning a second bird in the unlikely event the main act chickens out," he said to laughter.
"Turkeys are not only the ones on edge this morning — you see, it turns out the Rose Garden is Barney's turf ... So the press corps is a little nervous, as well," said the president, referring to a recent incident in which Barney bit a Reuters reporter.
The turkeys, named Pumpkin and Pecan, were hatched at the Hill family farm in Ellsworth, Iowa. "After a long, drawn-out election season, when the people finally spoke, the name of the ticket sent here to the White House was Pumpkin and Pecan," said Bush. "Pumpkin is right there ... Pecan is in an undisclosed location."
Bush said he had much to be thankful for, such as the men and women who have served in uniform, compassionate volunteers, teachers, firefighter, pastors and police. And for his family and his mother, who is doing well after being hospitalized for stomach pain the other night.
"Most of all, I thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as the president. In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish. Yet I've assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish," said the president. "That's because in keeping with a longstanding tradition, Pumpkin and Pecan are hereby granted a full and unconditional presidential pardon.
"I wish all Americans a happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you."
Top: President Bush stands between Paul Hill, left, of the National Turkey Federation, and his son, Nathan Hill, as he pardons a turkey named Pumpkin in the Rose Garden of the White House./White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian |
