Obama makes link between First Thanksgiving and America's refugee origins

Obama makes link between First Thanksgiving and America's refugee origins
Copyright 
By Robert Hackwill
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Obama's address reminds Americans their ancestors made it to the 1621 First Thanksgiving harvest festival thanks to Native Americans' aid to refugees from persecution

ADVERTISEMENT

President Barack Obama carved the turkey as the first family helped feed veterans and the homeless for Thanksgiving. They visited a Washington church where Michelle and her mother handled the greens and the burgers, while the daughters’ kitchen skills looked a little rusty.

Later in his national address the president tried to provide food for thought.

“In 1620, a small band of pilgrims came to this continent, refugees who had fled persecution and violence in their native land. Nearly 400 years later, we remember their part in the American story – and we honor the men and women who helped them in their time of need,” he said. He then brought past and present firmly together.

“I’ve been touched by the generosity of the Americans who’ve written me letters and emails in recent weeks, offering to open their homes to refugees fleeing the brutality of ISIL.”

Obama was more merciful with another turkey, Abe, who received the traditional presidential thanksgiving pardon. TOTUS will now be free to live out his years at the 1,000-acre “White House on Turkey Hill”.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

College students across US face arrest over pro-Palestinian protests

Mike Pence: Russian aggression poses 'serious threat' to Europe

Man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial courthouse in New York