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Gary Cooper and son Cole brought two turkeys from their farm in Ohio to Washington for President Obama to pardon. H. Darr Beiser
One of these two turkeys from Cooper Farms in Ohio will be chosen to receive a pardon from President Obama.(Photo: H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
There are some unusual guests staying at the historic Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.: two 50-pound Ohio turkeys.
One lucky bird will serve as the National Thanksgiving Turkey and will be pardoned by President Obama on Wednesday. The other will serve as an alternate — but both will avoid the platter this year.
"It's kind of like Miss Universe, you know," Gary Cooper, chairman of the National Turkey Federation and owner of Cooper Farms where the turkeys were raised, told USA TODAY Network. "We've got the winner and the first runner-up."
The first family will give the turkeys their official names, but the birds have nicknames already.
"We've been calling these guys Virgil and Homer after my grandpa," said Cole Cooper, Gary's son, who raised the turkeys. His grandfather, Virgil Homer Cooper, started the family business in 1938.
The turkeys, of the breed Broad-breasted white, were born on the farm in Fort Recovery, Ohio, on July 7, according to Cole. They were selected for pardoning because of their coloring, size and temperament, he said.
"They have to be docile to the point that I can pick them up," he said, adding that the turkeys do have different personalities.
"One is real anxious and ready to go, and the other one is kind of reserved," he said.
The tradition of presidents pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey began with President George H.W. Bush in 1989, though previous presidents, including Kennedy and Reagan, have also spared birds given to the White House.
USA TODAY
Thanksgiving traditions: Turkey pardoning explained
Turkey farmers Gary Cooper, left, and son Cole brought two turkeys to Washington to be pardoned by President Obama. One will actually receive a pardon, while the other will be an alternate.(Photo: H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
The Coopers haven't decided which turkey will be officially pardoned on Wednesday. It all depends on which bird seems to be feeling and behaving the best, according to Gary and Cole.
After the ceremony, the birds will be taken to Morven Park in Leesburg, Va.
While the Coopers say it's an honor to be a part of this unique Thanksgiving tradition, the task is not without its challenges.
"I had a rough night last night," Cole said. "Because they wouldn't stop gobbling."
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