USA: US President George W. Bush pardons "National Thanksgiving Turkeys" in annual ceremony

Worries about a possible bird flu pandemic were far from the audience's minds at the White House Tuesday (November 22), where U.S. President George W. Bush gave a reprieve to two turkeys, saving them from becoming somebody's Thanksgiving Day dinner. Thanksgiving is celebrated November 24, in the United States. In what has become a White House tradition, President Bush gave presidential pardons to two turkeys - "Marshmallow," and "Yam" who were lucky enough to be dubbed "National Thanksgiving Turkeys." "Marshmallow" appeared at a ceremony with Bush and Vice-President Cheney. The President said "Yam," who holds the title of "Alternate National Thanksgiving Turkey," was waiting in a pickup truck outside of the White House. "I'm going to grant a pardon this afternoon. And the pardon I grant comes with a new measure of responsibility and fame for 'Marshmallow' and 'Yam.' The past years, the turkeys I've spared, went on to lead lives of leisure at Frying Pan Park in the state of Virginia. This year's going to be a little bit different. 'Marshmallow,' and 'Yam' were a little sceptical about going to a place called Frying Pan Park. I don't blame them. So, I'm proud to announce that 'Marshmallow,' and 'Yam' will serve as honorary grande marshals at Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and they'll go on to spend the rest of their natural lives at Disneyland," President Bush explained. "So without further ado, I grant 'Marshmallow, and 'Yam' a presidential pardon, in the meantime may God bless you all and your families during this Thanksgiving season," Bush said. Children from a Maryland school, who raised $17,000 (USD) for Hurricane Katrina relief were invited up to the front to greet "Marshmallow" close-up. This year marks the 58th 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.

ITN Source | November 25, 2005

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