Obama pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House.

The president, flanked by daughters Sasha and Malia, pardoned the turkey, named Popcorn, and its alternate, named Caramel. He saluted the birds "for their bravery" and said Popcorn's selection as the National Thanksgiving Turkey proves "that even a turkey with a funny name can find a place in politics."

The names were chosen from among suggestions by elementary schools in Roseau County, Minn,, where the birds were raised, the White House said.

The turkeys are to be taken to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens where the National Thanksgiving Turkey will be on exhibit during "Christmas at Mount Vernon," through Jan. 6. Later they will be taken to a turkey farm at the Leesburg, Va., home of former Virginia Gov. Westmoreland Davis.

The White House said the pardoning ceremony was part of "the 66th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation."

Although the practice of pardoning the turkey is widely regarded as a White House tradition, the first official pardon did not occur until 1989 when George H.W. Bush was president, the Los Angeles Times said.