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President Obama and the First Family served dinner at a homeless center in Washington, D.C.
Obama was in charge of serving turkey and gravy to the veterans and other homeless people
(CNN) —
President Barack Obama, joined by the entire first family, on Wednesday began the Thanksgiving holiday by serving dinner to the local homeless population and veterans at Friendship Place Homeless Center in Washington.
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NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Earlier in the day, while taking part in the traditional turkey pardon, Obama said that he and the first family would “take some of the less fortunate turkey brothers” with them to serve up for dinner for homeless and at-risk veterans.
“It’s not only of the spirit of giving during this holiday season, but our national obligation to make sure all those who serve and sacrifice for our country have a place to call home,” Obama said from the Rose Garden. “My administration considers this one of our top priorities, making sure that we’re bringing about the reality of zero homelessness for our veterans.”
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Evan Vucci/AP
President Donald Trump is joined by his wife, Melania, as he pardons Butter the turkey on Tuesday, November 26.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Alex Wong/Getty Images
Trump pardons Peas the turkey in 2018. Peas and another turkey, Carrots, were sent to a Virginia farm to spend the rest of their lives.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Reporters gets a sneak peek at Wishbone, who was pardoned in 2017.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
President Barack Obama, with his nephews Aaron and Austin Robinson, pardons Tot the turkey in 2016.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Obama and his daughters, Sasha and Malia, applaud Cheese, the national Thanksgiving turkey, in 2014.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Obama gestures while pardoning a turkey in 2012.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Malia Obama pets Liberty the turkey in 2011.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images
President George W. Bush stands with members of the Hill family, who raised Pumpkin the turkey, during Pumpkin's pardoning ceremony in 2008.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bush pets May the turkey in 2007.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Bush pardons Biscuits in 2004. Biscuits and his alternate, Gravy, went on to a petting zoo in Virginia.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
President George H.W. Bush participates in the traditional pardoning in 1990.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Reagan Library
The National Thanksgiving Turkey flaps its wings, startling President Ronald Reagan and other guests during the 1987 pardoning ceremony.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Reagan Library
Reagan admires a turkey in 1982.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Jimmy Carter Library's Carter White House Photographs Collection
First lady Rosalynn Carter and her daughter, Amy, pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1978.
Photos: US presidents pardoning turkeys
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Ford Presidential Library
President Gerald R. Ford is presented with the National Thanksgiving Turkey in 1975. The turkey was presented by Marvin DeWitt of Zeeland, Michigan. According to the White House memo, it was the first time that the president, the turkey and the presenter were all from the same state.
Obama was in charge of serving turkey and gravy to the veterans and other homeless people, while first lady Michelle Obama served up vegetables. Daughters Sasha and Malia gave out other holiday favorites including mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberries.
Friendship Place Homeless Center received a $3.1 million dollar grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2015 for veteran homelessness capacity-building.
