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 For
around 60 years the
presidents of the United
States have stood in front
of the White House in a PR
stint to smile and hold a
turkey. National
Thanksgiving Turkey
presentation dates to 1947,
when the first National
Thanksgiving Turkey was
presented to President Harry
Truman. Thanksgiving Turkeys
for the Whitehouse grin and
grip photo op were raised
under the direction of
National Turkey Federation
Chairman Mike Briggs in
2006. The turkey and
its second in line were fed
a diet of corn and soybean
meal and were provided a
continuous supply of fresh
water.
A few minor modifications
were made to prepare the
birds for the National
Thanksgiving Turkey
presentation. About 30
turkeys were removed from
the normal commercial
production flock and are
being raised separately on
Nutt’s farm. The birds are
periodically hand fed and
given additional interaction
with people in an effort to
acclimate them. The birds
came from Monett, Missouri
but now reside in Anaheim at
the Disneyland theme park.
They were last seen in Bear
Country.
Presidents traditionally
have granted the National
Thanksgiving Turkey a
"pardon." After the
presentation, the National
Turkey and its alternate
will be taken to Disneyland
Resort and Theme Park in
Anaheim, California to be a
part of the holiday display
and where they will stay the
remainder of their natural
lives. Both the turkeys will
serve as honorary Grand
Marshals for Disneyland’s
annual Thanksgiving Day
Parade
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