Bush pardons two turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving dinner

U.S. President George W. Bush pardoned two turkeys from Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday.

London, Nov.21 : U.S. President George W. Bush pardoned two turkeys from Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday.

The birds received the traditional presidential pardon in the White House Rose Garden before being sent to Walt Disney World in Florida, where they will be grand marshals of the Thanksgiving Day parade.

Bush said that vice president Dick Cheney joked that the turkeys, named May and Flower, should have been called Lunch and Dinner.

"Each of you is taking part in a tradition that goes back to the days of Harry Truman," the Sun quoted Bush as saying.

"And to paraphrase Harry today, we have a message for our two feathered friends: You cannot take the heat - and you're definitely going to stay out of the kitchen."

The president said he was grateful for citizens who reached out to those in need, grateful for working Americans and grateful for the men and women of the US military.

"They have offered their lives in our defence. And each year, thousands more volunteer to join their noble ranks and to keep us safe.

"And so on this Thanksgiving, we keep their families and their loved ones in our prayers and in our thoughts," Bush said.

The president's address was interrupted by the sound of the two turkeys gobbling.

As he granted the presidential pardon, Bush said: "May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling. And may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace. God bless you all."

The 21-week-old birds from Dubois, about 50 miles north-east of Evansville, Indiana, were bought to the White House by the Secret Service.

ANI