Despite his lame duck status, President Joe Biden saved two birds’ lives on Monday.
At a National Turkey Federation press conference on Sunday, Biden concluded an annual White House ritual by pardoning two lucky turkeys, Peach and Blossom, who are from Minnesota and about 17 weeks old.
The two names are intended to honor Delaware, Biden’s home state, and the peach blossom, which is its official flower.
Biden stated during the pardon ceremony that the peach blossom flower also represents resilience, which is, to be honest, appropriate for this day and age.
Biden began the ceremony with a joke about the large number of people there to see the two turkeys get a second chance at life.
Biden joked, “They tell me there’s 2,500 people here today looking for a pardon.”
The birds were grown and presented on Sunday by John Zimmerman, the president of the federation, and his 9-year-old son, Grant.
The bird fled the platform just as the president was ready to pardon Peach.
Peach, what did you say? The president inquired.
He informed the audience that Peach was making a last-minute appeal.
Biden informed the audience at the event that Peach, who weighs around 41 pounds, loves to eat hot dishes topped with tater tots, and lives by the slogan, “keep calm and gobble on.”
Blossom wants to live up to the motto “no fowl play” and take a road trip to all 10,000 lakes in Minnesota.
Peach and Blossom stayed in an opulent room at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the pardon.
In addition to a Get Ready With Us film showing the two reaching their turkey-proofed lodging, the National Turkey Federation shared pictures of the feathered couple in the hotel.
When the National Turkey Federation sent President Harry Truman a turkey that he had rescued from supper in 1947, he began the custom of pardoning turkeys 77 years ago.
The National Turkey Federation said on Sunday that the two birds will retire to a farm in Southern Minnesota and serve as agricultural ambassadors after being pardoned.
According to Zimmerman, their home base will be in Waseca, Minnesota, but they might attend a football or hockey game there. However, they are prepared to travel if necessary.
In order to appreciate the Coast Guard for their service and sacrifice, including that of his late son Beau Biden, who passed away from brain cancer, Biden ended the event on a more somber note by informing the crowd that he and the First Lady would be visiting Staten Island on Monday night for a Friendsgiving meal.
“May we take advantage of this opportunity to take a break from our hectic lives and concentrate on our family, which is the most important thing,” Biden added.
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