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In a tradition that dates back during Pres. Harry Truman’s time, Pres. George W. Bush in a nostalgic ceremony in the White House, spares the life of two lucky birds named Pumpkin and Pecan on Wednesday, November 26, 2008. Pumpkin, the 45 pound national turkey with white feathers will be the honorary grand marshal in this year’s Thanksgiving parade in Disneyland.

Excluding the birds from the oven, the president leads the nation in prayer to reflect the holiday’s significance, notably by thanking the entire American people as he spends his last days of his tenure as president. (Photo Credits: AP; AFP) =0=