Gov. Roy Cooper pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the North Carolina Executive Mansion on Monday.

In his remarks, Cooper expressed gratitude for North Carolina agriculture, as well as emergency management professionals who have worked through recent storms, military service members, veterans and their families, educators, and public servants.

Cooper pardoned Sir Walter, a 48-pound tom raised at 7Str8 Farm in Mount Olive, and Caroline, a 28-pound hen raised at Pine Ridge Farm in Clinton. After the ceremony, Sir Walter and Caroline will retire at Naylor Family Farm in Fuquay-Varina, where they will join chickens, peacocks, goats, pigs and calves.

“Kristin asked me today if I had any good turkey jokes. I said, “Naw, I’ll just wing it,’” Cooper said. “On a serious note, this is a time of Thanksgiving. It’s a time to think about generosity and things that we’re thankful for, and I’m thankful for North Carolina agriculture. Many of our farmers are having a tough time right now with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, and we’ve got to remember them as we approach this legislative session and remember them in Washington because they are an important economic driver.”

On Tuesday, Cooper joined representatives from the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Butterball and Prestage Farms in Wilson to help distribute 400 turkeys to families in need.

“Butterball is proud to be a North Carolina company and to have the opportunity to be part of this historic event,” said Kerry Doughty, president and CEO of Butterball LLC. “We’re also fortunate to provide Thanksgiving turkeys for Gov. Cooper to provide for hurricane victims and those in need in eastern North Carolina.”

– Submitted article