Forward thinking: Mr. President, please pardon the turkey

President Harry S. Truman pardons the first official National Thanksgiving Turkey.
President Harry S. Truman pardons the first official National Thanksgiving Turkey.

Mashed potatoes and gravy… savory stuffing… yams… cranberry sauce… vegetables and salad… hot buttered rolls… pumpkin pie with whipped cream. All are staples of a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner.

Did I leave anything out? Yes, you guessed it – a roasted turkey! A Thanksgiving meal without turkey is almost unthinkable–at least in my family. That brings to mind an interesting historical story of how turkeys became associated with this National Holiday.

The story is told that in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln was president, the cooks at the White House were gifted with a live turkey to fatten up for a holiday feast. The turkey’s name was Jack, and it didn’t take long for Tad, Lincoln’s young son, to make friends with the bird. Soon Jack was following young Tad around the White House grounds like a pet.

One day, as the story goes, President Lincoln was in a Cabinet meeting when a tearful Tad burst into the room. He announced that Jack was about to be killed and begged his father to stop the execution.

The president tried to explain that Jack was sent to them to be eaten. Tad sobbed back, that Jack was a good turkey and mustn’t be killed.

It is reported that the president halted his meeting, took a piece of paper, and scribbled out a reprieve. A joyful Tad raced away to show the presidential order to the executioner and save the life of Jack the turkey.

According to the White House, people sometimes gave live holiday turkeys to presidents in the years following the Lincoln Administration. However, it was not until 1947 that the first official National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented to President Harry S. Truman. President Truman followed Lincoln’s example and pardoned the bird.

In retrospect, we now know that the “reprieve” has become an annual tradition.

Each year, the National Turkey Federation chooses a plump bird and takes it to Washington. Just before Thanksgiving, the president of the United States pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House. The grateful bird then retires to a petting zoo or resort where it stays the remainder of its happy, natural life.

I have it on good authority that an “alternate turkey” is chosen in case the winner cannot fulfill its responsibilities.

On a more serious note…

I would conclude this particular column by reminding us all that our nation has inherited a long, rich tradition of giving thanks.

In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed Nov. 26 to be a day of thanksgiving for God’s blessings and for the new United States Constitution.

However, it’s wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that our country got a regular Thanksgiving Day. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November “a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”

Subsequent presidents followed Lincoln’s example. In 1941, Congress passed a law officially declaring the fourth Thursday in November as America’s Thanksgiving Day.

Enjoy the day. Reflect on your many blessings… and don’t eat too much turkey.

Until next time…
Loren (1)–By Loren Simmonds

Loren Simmonds has been a resident of Lynnwood for 35 years. He served on the Lynnwood City Council for 16 years and is currently a member of the Lynnwood Civil Service Commission. Loren works as a consultant, writer, speaker and trainer. He is currently a member of the Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Foundation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.