President Obama pardoned his first turkey Wednesday, sparing "Courage," a 45-pound broad-breasted white gobbler from North Carolina from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.
In an appearance in the White House Rose Garden that was at turns light-hearted and serious, Obama reluctantly sentenced the pardoned turkey to life in Disneyland as his two daughters looked on. But he also offered the nation's thanks to its military personnel and noted that Thursday's most American of holidays comes as so many families "are hurting" from the protracted economic recession.
Speaking on the 20th anniversary of what he said was "the first official presidential pardon for a turkey" -- issued by President George H.W. Bush -- Obama recalled that at least a couple of his predecessors (Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson) ate the turkeys that the National Turkey Federation has been delivering to the White House for more than 50 years.
"Now, today I'm pleased to announce that, thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha -- because I was planning to eat this sucker -- Courage will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate," Obama said to laughter from the audience. "Later today, he'll head to Disneyland, where he'll be grand marshal of tomorrow's parade." Also spared was an alternate turkey, Carolina.
Courage is from the Worley Family Farm in Johnston County, N.C.
"You talk about winning the lottery? This is one of 40 million turkeys that we grow in North Carolina every year. Now that's a pretty lucky turkey," N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said at a send-off ceremony earlier this week.
Obama said he, first lady Michelle Obama and their two girls planned to take two dressed turkeys to Martha's Table, a charity in Washington, later in the afternoon.
"So today, all told, I believe it's fair to say that we have saved or created four turkeys," Obama joked, alluding to his jobs-creating stimulus program.
"You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office -- and then, there are moments like this, where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland," he said.
Then, turning serious, he thanked the public and the military for the "privilege" of serving as their president and commander in chief, and he wished "a happy Thanksgiving to every service member at home or in harm's way."
As he and his family join millions of other Americans on Thursday in giving thanks for their blessings, "we'll also remember ... this is a time when so many members of our American family are hurting," Obama said. "There's no question this has been a tough year for America. We're at war; our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery, but there is a long way to go and a lot of work to do."
Saying he was acting before first dog Bo could "escape and screw up this pardon -- or before I change my mind," Obama intoned, "I hereby pardon Courage, so that he can live out the rest of his days in peace and tranquillity-- in Disneyland."
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