By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday delivered no less than half a dozen pumpkin pies to Massachusetts firefighters during a Thanksgiving Day show of appreciation and his toddler grandson walked away with a red fire hat topping his blond curls.
“Oh wow,” Biden was heard to say upon seeing Beau Biden, who is almost 3, emerge from the headquarters constructing wearing the hat. The president was with the firefighters who had lined up outside the constructing to welcome him.
Biden had expressed appreciation for firefighters and other emergency personnel earlier within the day when he and his wife, Jill, spoke by telephone to the hosts of NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Latest York.
“I would like to say due to the firefighters and law enforcement officials, first responders. They never take a break,” he said through the call. The Bidens spoke later Thursday with units from each of the six branches of the U.S. military, stationed in Europe, at sea, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the White House said.
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“We remember them each day,” he said through the broadcast. “God bless our troops.”
Jill Biden appeared to attempt to get her grandson to consult with the firefighters, but Beau wouldn’t look up. She was overheard saying she didn’t know why he was being so quiet.
During a transient conversation with reporters, Biden said he hopes the upcoming Republican-controlled House will proceed U.S. aid to Ukraine. He also said his team is involved in negotiations to avoid a freight rail strike in early December that might further disrupt the economy.
After the visit, Biden returned to the Nantucket home where he’s taking in the vacation with family, including son Hunter and his wife, Melissa — who’re Beau’s parents — and daughter Ashley.
They’re camping out at a sprawling waterfront compound along Nantucket Harbor owned by David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group, a personal equity firm. Biden celebrated Thanksgiving at the house in 2021.
The Bidens have a greater than 40-year tradition of spending Thanksgiving on the Massachusetts island.
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