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Darkbeer
11-21-2005, 01:15 PM
Disneyland Resort Press Release

National Thanksgiving Turkey to Serve as Grand Marshal of Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade



NEW YORK, Nov. 21 --


What is the "Happiest Turkey on Earth" going to do next? He's going to Disneyland! Following the traditional Presidential pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a White House Rose Garden ceremony, the 2005 National Thanksgiving Turkey will board United Airlines Flight 197 and fly 2,288 miles first-class from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles with a final stop at "The Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland.

On Thanksgiving Day the 35-pound Tom Turkey will be honored as the grand marshal of Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade as the park celebrates its 50th year. After the parade, the turkey will become a resident of Santa's Reindeer Ranch located within the park's Frontierland where he will live out the rest of his days.

U.S. President Harry S Truman was the first Commander-in-Chief to be presented with a Thanksgiving turkey (in 1947) by the National Turkey Federation. This year's presentation marks the 58th anniversary of a tradition that has continued through 10 successive presidential administrations.

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities, which increase demand for its members products and protect and enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.

olegc
11-21-2005, 03:02 PM
so I guess we can call him "Turkey Lurkey"?

what about henny penny? and so on...

JP1
11-21-2005, 03:24 PM
I've heard the turkey will have a police escort from the airport to the park...I think it's hilarious. I can't think of a better place to live out the rest of my days.

Tinkermommy
11-21-2005, 06:31 PM
I can't think of a better place to live out the rest of my days.

I couldn't help noticing -- even when I read about it my local newspaper -- they didn't say "live out the rest of his natural life." Hmmm...(LOL)

Darkbeer
11-21-2005, 11:42 PM
Acually, there are TWO Turkeys that get pardoned, the main one, and a stand-by (they are also handled by people multiple times a day, and are raised to be the "special" turkeys...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.turkey22nov22,1,7208146.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines




But unlike the turkeys reprieved over the past 15 years, this year's bird will not be sent to Frying Pan Park, an animal farm in the Washington suburbs, to gobble to his heart's content for the rest of his days.
This afternoon, minutes after his life is spared, the 35-pound presidential turkey - along with a backup bird - is going to Disneyland. On United Flight 197. First class.

The presidential pardon is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. today. Then, like the Super Bowl MVP who within moments of victory declares that he's going to Disney World, the National Thanksgiving Turkey, accompanied by the alternate, will be whisked in a van and a motorcade - all at Disneyland's expense - to a 2:40 p.m. flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles.

SandraVB79
11-21-2005, 11:55 PM
OH

MY

GOD

I can't believe they spend money on something like that. People in the world are starving, there are so many poor homeless people in the US (I was shocked at San Francisco!), and Disney puts a turkey on a plane as a first class passenger???
Unbelievable...

asharpcook
11-22-2005, 12:53 AM
So....when is the parade? DH gave me a trip to DL for my birthday and we will be there Thanksgiving day. I would love to see the parade. Any ideas?
AS

sixwoofys
11-22-2005, 03:02 AM
SandraVB79 sounds jealous. I think it's great. The turkey is a native American bird and is only found here in America. (Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the National bird instead of the Eagle which was preferred by Adams). We will be there to cheer the little guy on - I can't wait for my four kids (4) to see him! He is a National Treasure. God created and hand picked the turkey to be a strictly American bird -- and a great (tasting) bird too!
By the way some or most of those "poor" homeless people want to be that way. I know many, many of these folks who, when offered a place to stay simply refuse. Have you ever considered that maybe they have a right to be homeless? It is a free country afterall. There are plenty of jobs in San Francisco and in America. If millions of Illegals can come here and find work then the only assumption one can make is that the jobless desire to be jobless and the homeless to be homeless.

Long live Turkey Lurkey!

SandraVB79
11-22-2005, 03:40 AM
Jealous? Not at all.
I am just once again wondering about the "crazy Americans"....

Opus1guy
11-22-2005, 06:49 AM
...and Disney puts a turkey on a plane as a first class passenger???
Unbelievable...

My educated guess is that United Airlines is throwing in the First Class seating for free, in order to hitch-a-ride on the publicity bandwagon. I would wager that neither Disney nor the the National Turkey Federation paid a cent to fly the birds. Disney and the NTF probably just called United's Marketing Department and said, "How would you like a little free publicity?" and they quickly handed over the seats in exchange for mention in the Press Release. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see United issue their own Press Release with photos after the flight. They do similar when they transport the Oscar statuettes to Los Angeles for the Academy Awards each year.

pisces
11-22-2005, 06:58 AM
Jealous? Not at all.
I am just once again wondering about the "crazy Americans"....

Tradition is tradition. It rarely makes sense, but that's not a reason not to do it. Customs and traditions, ---these are things people do routinely, and those sorts of rituals (nonsensical or not) ...give shape and meaning to the entire year. Many countries have their own customs and traditions that don't make sense to me----and I don't begrudge them for it.

Although, I think this is a new tradition, because I don't remember anything about a Thanksgiving Parade or Turkey last year.

pisces
11-22-2005, 07:02 AM
OH

MY

GOD

I can't believe they spend money on something like that. People in the world are starving, there are so many poor homeless people in the US (I was shocked at San Francisco!), and Disney puts a turkey on a plane as a first class passenger???
Unbelievable...

One thing has nothing to do with the other. Putting a turkey on a plane......is tradition....or the start of one.

The homeless and hungry problem is being dealt with through the Red Cross, and Government Aid :rolleyes: .

Nobody is ignoring the less fortunate....just because we are creating/engaging in new traditions that are customary at this time of year.

CrazyTrain
11-22-2005, 09:43 AM
Will he be kept with the reindeer or in a seperate pen?

tink360
11-22-2005, 10:12 AM
This is one parade I won't want to miss!

Darkbeer
11-22-2005, 10:14 AM
http://www.fox23news.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=9EC0AC3D-8006-416C-BE76-C5921DE63D28




President Bush issued pardons Tuesday to Marshmallow and Yam during the traditional Thanksgiving ceremony.


"The granting of the turkey pardon is not a responsibility I take lightly," Bush joked, saying Yam, the alternate bird, was "out in a pickup truck on the South Lawn." Thirty-five pound Marshmallow beat out Yam in the annual election for the National Turkey. Bush said the race was "neck and neck."

sixwoofys
11-22-2005, 10:27 AM
See you there Tink. Leaving in less than 2 hours. !

SoCalDisneyLover
11-22-2005, 10:48 AM
The turkey's popularity ratings are currently higher than Shrub's.

Guess he'll get some practice on pardoning members of his administration by pardoning the turkey.....kind of an appropriate comparison anyways.

evrythngwmn
11-22-2005, 10:52 AM
Now I have heard it all.

Oh, and since I homeless people got brought into the mix I wanted to throw in that last night I heard them referred to as residentially challenged.

TikiGeek
11-22-2005, 10:59 AM
He's clearly pandering to the Turkey voters. ;)

SoCalDisneyLover
11-22-2005, 11:23 AM
Some disturbing news regarding Mr. Turkey....

AP - 11/22/2005
“Pardoned” Turkey To Be Held At Guantanamo

WASHINGTON... The National Turkey, pardoned by President Bush in the traditional White House pre-Thanksgiving ceremony, will be held captive at the US military installation in Guantanamo. The turkey, said to weigh in the teens of pounds, will be interned at the request of Vice President Dick Cheney, who is concerned that it may have been raised on a farm in Prague.

A source close to the Vice President, speaking on condition of sycophantic proximity to power which journalists mistake for actual reporting, stated “it’s been pretty well verified” the turkey may have had access to various biological and chemical substances, including what has been termed by a Pentagon informant as “a potential basting agent”. Yet sources within the State Department disputed the claims of the informant, code named “Butterball”, citing his envy of natural juiciness.

The Vice President’s long time suspicion of turkeys and food in general is set to be chronicled in a new book by Bob Woodward, “Cheney At Dinner”. The book, Woodward’s 27th court hagiography this year, portrays Mr. Cheney as embittered by repeated attempts to get food into his twisted mouth, which has resulted in painful fork wounds to his lips and teeth, causing him to take all nourishment through a straw.

President Bush, aides say, remains focused on clearing the two remaining items off his schedule, a bike ride and a nap, so he can head to Crawford for Thanksgiving and return sometime after Arbor Day.


Is Guantanamo anywhere near Anaheim? :-)

sixwoofys
11-22-2005, 11:50 AM
The people on the left are so full of hate, it never ceases to amaze me. They just can't help themselves. Oh yeah and sorry about us "crazy Americans" Sandra. I guess we can't all be as refined and peaceful as you Europeans. Oh by the way is the Disneyland in Paris still there or have they burned that too? Lord knows those peaceful, refined, gentle and kind european kids have burned everything else. What have they torched now um... something like 5,000 cars! Maybe the French should surrender to their youth too! That's one thing they excell at.

sixwoofys
11-22-2005, 11:50 AM
The people on the left are so full of hate, it never ceases to amaze me. They just can't help themselves. Oh yeah and sorry about us "crazy Americans" Sandra. I guess we can't all be as refined and peaceful as you Europeans. Oh by the way is the Disneyland in Paris still there or have they burned that too? Lord knows those peaceful, refined, gentle and kind european kids have burned everything else. What have they torched now um... something like 5,000 cars! Maybe the French should surrender to their youth too! That's one thing we know they excell at.

Darkbeer
11-22-2005, 12:04 PM
Disneyland Resort Press Release

Following Presidential Pardon 'The Happiest Turkey on Earth' Heads West to 'The Happiest Place on Earth!'

National Thanksgiving Turkey to Land at Disneyland

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 22 -- Today following the traditional Presidential pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C., the 2005 National Thanksgiving Turkey became "The Happiest Turkey on Earth" by heading west to "The Happiest Place on Earth" -- Disneyland! Accompanied by National Turkey Federation Chairman Pete Rothfork on United Airlines Flight 197 from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, the famous fowl flew first-class 2,288 miles nonstop to the west coast for a special Thanksgiving Day honor.

On Thursday the famed bird will be the grand marshal of Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade as the park celebrates its 50th anniversary year. After the parade, the turkey will move in to Santa's Reindeer Round-up in the park's Frontierland section to meet his eager fans.

"It was an honor to represent the turkey industry at the White House and help President Bush welcome in the Thanksgiving holiday season," stated Rothfork. "And now we're delighted to have the National Thanksgiving Turkey be a part of Disneyland's 50th anniversary and Thanksgiving Day festivities." The 18-1/2 week old tom turkey weighs about 37 pounds and was raised under Rothfork's direct supervision. He was brought up on a farm owned and operated by Jim and Vicki Trites in Henning, Minnesota.
"We're excited to have the 2005 National Thanksgiving Turkey as our guest at the Disneyland Resort," said Matt Ouimet, president of the resort in southern California. "The magic of Disneyland appeals to everyone and we are looking forward to having him join us and meet our guests from around the world."

"United is honored to assist the National Thanksgiving Turkey in fulfilling the dream of all domestic turkeys -- to be able to fly," said Jeff Foland, United vice president, North America Sales. "It makes perfect sense the National Thanksgiving Turkey would relish the chance to fly United first class to Disneyland after being pardoned and we're proud to assist in making him the 'happiest turkey in the air'."

U.S. President Harry S Truman was the first Commander-in-Chief to be presented with a Thanksgiving turkey (in 1947) by the National Turkey Federation. This year's presentation marks the 58th anniversary of a tradition that has continued through 10 successive presidential administrations.

About the National Turkey Federation

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities, which increase demand for its members' products and protect and enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.

Darkbeer
11-22-2005, 12:06 PM
FYI, Marshmellow and Yam should arrive at LAX around 5:15 PM..

http://www.ua2go.com/flifo/FlightSummary.do?Check=&date=20051122&deparr=D&orig=&dest=&time=00002359&fltNbr=197&Check=Check

SoCalDisneyLover
11-22-2005, 12:18 PM
The people on the left are so full of hate, it never ceases to amaze me. They just can't help themselves. Oh yeah and sorry about us "crazy Americans" Sandra. I guess we can't all be as refined and peaceful as you Europeans.

Yeah, it's a real shame that the people on the left won't just shutup and let those on the right run the country how they see fit. Besides, the people on the right are just so friendly and peaceful, especially with degrading remarks against decorated vets like Congressman Murtha. I guess calling a 24 year Representative a coward on the floor of the House is their way of playing nice.

Meanwhile, the French, whom were taunted and degraded for their resistance to participate in Iraq, ended up seeing the intelligence for what it was....a forgery and Fraud perpetrated on the world by the U.S. administration.