Thanksgiving and Turkey Pardons!

Ever wonder about turkey pardons? Well, I did and thought I would do some research on the subject.

Some think the tradition started with Abraham Lincoln pardoning his son’s pet turkey, others believe it started much later with Harry S. Truman. Although both of these versions have been referenced in many places there really is no firm proof of either story’s veracity.

It’s believed that sometime around 1947 the National Turkey Federation gave the President of the United States one live turkey and two dressed turkeys. The live turkey is pardoned and is supposed to live out the rest of its days on a peaceful farm.

More recently it was thought prudent to have two turkeys pardoned, in case the original turkey becomes “unavailable” for presidential pardoning. I took that to mean a more pressing engagement.

In 2003 we were all asked to vote on what the names should be for these two turkeys and the voting has become an annual tradition.

Past names have included:

Stars and Stripes (2003)

Biscuit and Gravy(2004)

Marshmallow and Yam (2005)

Flyer and Fryer(2006)

May and Flower(2007).

The two turkeys are then flown first class, yes, first class on United Airlines from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles where they become the Grand Marshals of Disneyland’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade down Main Street.

The two turkeys then live out the rest of their lives in Disneyland’s Frontierland ranch.

On that note, I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!