United States President Joe Biden gave a speech for Thanksgiving where he called on the country's people to unite to face a slew of local and international issues.
It was part of the continuation of a longtime family tradition of celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on an island off of Cape Cod. The president and his wife, Jill Biden, said that Americans should unite to address the country is problems.
Joe Biden Gives Thanksgiving Address
While polling has shown that the people of the US are divided on a range of issues, the president noted that many people would prefer to see the acrimony end. Biden said that the nation has to come together, noting that people can have different political views but still agree that the US is the "finest, greatest nation in the world."
The Democratic leader urged people to focus on dealing with the problems, being together, and stopping the hate. He said they need to unite the country and treat each other with more decency, as per NBC News.
The Bidens arrived for the Thanksgiving holiday at the waterfront home of billionaire David Rubenstein on Tuesday. The White House said that during a quiet morning outside of public view, the president and his wife called units from each military branch.
The couple later visited the Nantucket Fire Department, bringing fits. Biden wore a baseball cap and a navy coat as he entered the building with Jill, who was carrying two pie boxes with purple ribbons.
The US president has also been monitoring the Israel-Hamas agreement to release hostages that are being held in Gaza. The two sides have agreed to a pause in the fighting and the first batch of 13 hostages would be released on Friday.
In the BIdens' calls to service members of each military branch, they offered "sincere gratitude for the sacrifices they make every day to protect our freedom." The president also said that we have to remind ourselves about how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth, according to The Hill.
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Calling for Unity
After visiting the Nantucket Fire Department, the president inspected a fire truck and spoke with a firefighter. Biden said he was "keeping my fingers crossed" that a three-year-old American girl would be returned safely. However, he declined to provide further details about the deal "until it is done."
Before the Bidens arrived on the island, it had been bustling with activity preparing for them. Earlier this week, a C-17 aircraft landed on the island to deliver vehicles and security equipment. Secret Service agents and White House staff members filled the hotels and meandered through local boutiques.
However, Biden's visit feels somewhat more subdued this year compared to previous years as rain fell and the wind whipped through the region on Wednesday. According to the New York Times, many people in the area also pointed out that the president has been coming to the island for roughly four decades.
