Politics & Government

The Bidens will hold a Friendsgiving with military families at Cherry Point in NC

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on Oct. 5, 2022.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers on Oct. 5, 2022. adiaz@miamiherald.com

North Carolina may be sending holiday spirit to the White House in the form of two locally raised turkeys to be pardoned, but President Joe Biden is also visiting the state as part of Thanksgiving celebrations.

On Wednesday, the White House announced that Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, plans to have “a Friendsgiving dinner” Monday at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point with service members and their families.

Presidents traditionally visit the troops for early Thanksgiving meals. Last year, the Bidens visited troops at Fort Bragg.

The visit is part of the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative. The White House released no other details about the event, but promised more at a later date.

This is North Carolina’s third holiday tradition connected to the nation’s capital this year.

Biden plans, also on Monday, to pardon a turkey and its alternate that were raised on Circle S Ranch near Monroe to spare them from becoming someone’s Thanksgiving dinner.

The birds’ names have not yet been announced, but a naming ceremony is expected Sunday in Washington.

On Friday, a truck will deliver the the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree from North Carolina to the Hill.

This story was originally published November 16, 2022 at 3:11 PM.

Danielle Battaglia
McClatchy DC
Danielle Battaglia is the congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of the impact of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.
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