Washington ( CNN ) -- A big bird from the East is heading west , thanks to a second chance at life given by President Obama in the nation 's capital Wednesday , a day before Americans sit down to Thanksgiving dinner . In a holiday tradition , the president pardoned the turkey at the White House , saving it from ending up as Thanksgiving dinner . This is the first turkey pardon for Obama . He appeared at the ceremony with his two daughters , Sasha and Malia . The president granted the pardon to a turkey from North Carolina named Courage . The North Carolina governor 's office Web site says that after the ceremony , the turkey will fly west to Disneyland to participate in the 121st annual Rose Parade on New Year 's Day . Obama thanked the National Turkey Federation for donating this year 's turkeys , Courage and Carolina . Carolina is an alternate turkey who came along in case Courage was unable to fulfill his responsibilities . The president wished a happy Thanksgiving to the American people . `` When my family and I sit around the table tomorrow , '' he said , `` just like millions of other families across America , we 'll take time to give our thanks for many blessings , but we 'll also remember that this is the time when so many members of our American family are hurting . '' `` There is no question this has been a tough year for America . We 're at war , our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery , '' Obama said . `` In more tranquil times , it 's easy to notice our many blessings ; it 's even easier to take them for granted . But in times like these , they resonate a bit more powerfully , '' the president said . Later during the day , the president and his family will go to Martha 's Table , an organization based in Washington that helps communities in need by donating food , clothing and offering other opportunities . There , they will donate two turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner . The poultry industry has given the White House a turkey each year since the presidency of Harry Truman , but the tradition of officially pardoning a turkey did n't begin until 1989 , when George H.W . Bush took office and pardoned one . CNN 's Paul Steinhauser and Jamie Crawford contributed to the report .
In a holiday tradition , president prevents turkey from ending up as Thanksgiving dinner . Turkey , a North Carolina bird , is set to go to Disneyland , take part in Rose Parade . Obama says that amid war and recession , ' ` ` resonate a little more powerfully '' Later , president and family members donate turkeys for aid America 's Thanksgiving dinner .