Thanksgiving can be tough for a turkey, but every year two birds get a break thanks to the presidential pardon. Presidents have pardoned turkeys since Harry Truman reportedly began the tradition in 1942. But for the pardoned turkey and its alternate, their large size makes life sweet but short. Last year’s presidential pardoned turkeys, Apple and Cider, passed away within a year after President Obama pardoned them, according to U.S News and World Report. Susie Coston, national shelter director of the Farm Sanctuary, says the birds are bred for eating, which makes them fat and prone to heart disease, respiratory conditions and strained joints. This year’s pardoned presidential turkeys, who will be named by President Obama at the White House today, will both get the star treatment with a night stay at the posh W Hotel in downtown Washington. One bird is chosen as an alternate in case the other dies before the Rose Garden event. This year’s birds are from Minnesota. The birds are specially selected at birth to be part of the pardoning ceremony. They are exposed to music, hand feeding, cameras, and loud noises to prepare them for the event. After the ceremony at the White House, both of the turkeys will be taken to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens in nearby Virginia, where they will live out the remainder of their lives.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Pardoned Turkeys
Thanksgiving can be tough for a turkey, but every year two birds get a break thanks to the presidential pardon. Presidents have pardoned turkeys since Harry Truman reportedly began the tradition in 1942. But for the pardoned turkey and its alternate, their large size makes life sweet but short. Last year’s presidential pardoned turkeys, Apple and Cider, passed away within a year after President Obama pardoned them, according to U.S News and World Report. Susie Coston, national shelter director of the Farm Sanctuary, says the birds are bred for eating, which makes them fat and prone to heart disease, respiratory conditions and strained joints. This year’s pardoned presidential turkeys, who will be named by President Obama at the White House today, will both get the star treatment with a night stay at the posh W Hotel in downtown Washington. One bird is chosen as an alternate in case the other dies before the Rose Garden event. This year’s birds are from Minnesota. The birds are specially selected at birth to be part of the pardoning ceremony. They are exposed to music, hand feeding, cameras, and loud noises to prepare them for the event. After the ceremony at the White House, both of the turkeys will be taken to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens in nearby Virginia, where they will live out the remainder of their lives.
