Governor pardons two gobblers

Governor Tom Vilsack continued a long-standing tradition today, pardoning two Iowa turkeys in a ceremony on the back lawn of Terrace Hill. He read a proclamation on behalf of the Iowa Turkey Federation freeing the turkeys.Vilsack says it’s estimated over 200-thousand turkeys will become dinners on Thursday in Iowa, and it’s only right that a couple are allowed to go free.The gobblers pardoned today came from the Tony Helfter farm outside Osage. The four-month old birds made little noise and wandered around the lawn of the Governor’s mansion as the Chief Executive read their pardon.Vilsack says the event is intended to highlight the turkey industry in the state, which he says has made significant strides. Vilsack says that’s due to hard work by many family farmers.The governor says Iowa’s also become a leader in the processing of turkeys.The pardoned turkeys will be moved to Living History Farms to spend their Thanksgiving safe and sound.