Obama Thanksgiving: US President Pardons Turkeys Liberty and Peace (Pictures)

Obama Thanksgiving: US President Pardons Turkeys Liberty and Peace (Pictures)

In an annual presidential amnesty before Thanksgiving, US President Barack Obama has pardoned the official national Thanksgiving turkeys named Liberty and Peace which were chosen among 30 turkeys raised and groomed in Willmar, Minnesota in the National Thanksgiving Turkey. Among two birds, only Liberty enjoys the national spotlight during a brief ceremony at the North Portico on Wednesday morning. During the tradition, Obama made a priestly gesture over the bird before announcing: "You are hereby pardoned!". Liberty and Peace are the fifth and sixth turkeys to skip the Thanksgiving feast during this administration. The action aims to remind us of both thankfulness and our elected officials’ power to decide between life and death. Obama said during the ceremony, “Well here's another one: We can't wait to pardon these turkeys. Literally!. Otherwise they'd wind up next to the mashed potatoes and stuffing”. Later on 23 November 2011, the First family delivered two not-so-lucky birds to the Capital Area Food Bank.

In an eight-minute tour-de-force on Wednesday, President Obama pardoned two turkeys - named Liberty and Peace - in the annual White House rite of passage. Liberty is a 19-week-old, 45-pound bird who sat calmly in the picture

President Barack Obama is joined by Malia and Sasha in the event. The Obama sisters get a closer look at Courage

President Obama is seen during a ceremony at the White House Wednesday with Liberty, the National Thanksgiving Turkey

With the wave on his hand, the president ceremonially pardoned the a 19-week-old, 45-pound turkey Liberty on Wednesday morning

The beaming father is joined by his daughters Malia and Sasha for the tradition on the North Portico of the White House

Visitors and members of the media gather and take pictures of Liberty, the turkey pardoned by President Obama on 23 November 2011

13-year-old Malia gave Liberty a pat

 

 

Obama Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys

 

Related links:

Barack Obama Spared Lives of Two Turkeys on Thanksgiving

Cutest Moments of Obama’s Daughters

Images of Barack Obama’s Daughters in Brazil

Mary Rose is currently a lecturer on society. In her free time, Mary is fond of joining social activities. Her goal is to provide up-to-date news and articles on society and culture.

Find More What President Made Thanksgiving A National Holiday? Articles