I will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I'm going home on Thursday to relax for a few days and my mom will be working her magic in the kitchen. Instead, I'll send you this holiday tribute.Did you ever watch The West Wing? Remember the episode when CJ is perplexed to find two turkeys in her office because it's time for the pardoning of the turkeys? Yeah, it actually exists.
I really thought this was an invention of the West Wing writers until a couple of weeks ago. Turns out, every since Harry Truman did it 60 years ago, every president has given a full presidential pardon to two turkeys, just in case one is afraid of crowds, for Thanksgiving. The
turkeys are specially raised for the event so as to be human friendly and get shipped off to Disney World via first class airfare after the event to serve as grand marshal of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. You can watch President Bush in the whole ceremony here and check out my personal photos of the event here.I don't know which was worse -- that the leader of the free world gave a pardon to a turkey or that this is the biggest presidential event I will cover while in DC. It was so adorable, regardless. The turkey was huge and the most passive thing I've ever seen. After that, Laura and George Bush left on Marine Force One for their holiday weekend, so I got a double whammy out of that event.
It kind of made me crave a turkey sandwich ...
PS -- If you're traveling this week, may I suggest packing a few snacks? Chances are your flig
ht will be delayed and airport food sucks/is really expensive. I'm packing a baggie of granola and some peanuts. They even charge you for food on board airplanes now too.***These are my personal photos and may not be used without my permission***
23 comments:
Ya, remember that episode..always cracks me up (got DVD, so can always rewatch it).
You have a good holiday with your love ones.
Cheers.
happy thanksgiving kelly! have a great time with your family and enjoy all the festive food :)
Only in America would we think to actually pardon the turkeys, lol.
I saw two wild turkeys on the road yesterday - they were crossing in the middle of a busy street and my husband stuck his head out the window and yelled "Run turkeys run! Thanksgiving is coming!! Ruuun!"
:)
Ari (Baking and Books)
Enjoy ur thanksgiving holiday...
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you my Southern neighbour..
Enjoy your mom's homecooked dinner... I'm sure it'll be FAB!
;-)
hey there... thanks for dropping by my place.
I dont watch west wing but... pardoning turkeys? that is quite something :)....
understand that all the writers in hollywood are on a strike and all series will be affected... so no more westwing for you and no grey's anatomy for me?
hiya kelly! thanks for visiting. here's wishing you a happy thanksgiving and a wonderful time with your family! now that you've mentioned turkey sandwich... i gotta find one... Happy Thanksgiving!
Zaza
Happy Thanksgiving Kelly, enjoy!:))
Very cool! I always like hearing this segment on the news every year. It's sort of like the Easter Egg roll on the White House Lawn. Just one of those weird Washington things.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Enjoy spending time with your family at 'home' and then come back and tell us all about the marvelous food!
Iv never seen west wing and not abt to. lol!
anyways, on "I don't know which was worse -- that the leader of the free world gave a pardon to a turkey or that this is the biggest presidential event I will cover while in DC", id say both!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I remember that episode too! I really liked that show. What a great post Kelly! I totally enjoyed it! Too cool that you were right there!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Cheers!
Happy thanksgiving! have a great holiday with ur family, its always nice to be around loved ones at this time..
cheers!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kelly! I've always heard about this "pardon" but never knew anyone who had attended!
And while you were playing journalist I was taking a tour of the Capital building, then went and had a tour of the Supreme Court, and then went on to the Library of Congress...now who do you think had the more entertaining day? Now that is a tough one.
Have a Happy, Happy!!!
have a great holiday!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you! As for pardoning the turkeys, this is a time-honored tradition: presidents have been pardoning turkeys, two-legged and feathered, for a long, long time. It's just more pleasant to think about in conjunction with Thanksgiving. All the best! Bilbo.
have a happy turkey day...
Happy thanks giving Kelly. Have a great time. and take it easy ok?
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you'll have a relaxing one with your family.
I absolutely agree with you on the flights delay part. I traveled on Thanksgiving weekend once, and my flight out of Chicago was delayed, thanks to a snowstorm :( Happy thanksgiving, Kelly.
happies holiday ya!! muaxx
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