President Biden emphasized the need for national unity during his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on Thursday.
"On this Thanksgiving Day, we must come together," Mr. Biden expressed to Al Roker. "While we may hold different political views, we share one common belief. That belief is that we are the finest and greatest nation in the world."
Mr. Biden continued by urging the nation to address its challenges collectively.
"We must put an end to the hostility," Mr. Biden added. "It is imperative that we unite as a nation and treat one another with respect and kindness."
As part of their family tradition, Mr. Biden and his family are currently celebrating Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
After contacting Roker, Mr. Biden and the first lady made a visit to the Nantucket fire station, where they brought five pumpkin pies. During a conversation with reporters at the fire station, Mr. Biden declined to comment on the delay in the deal to free dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of approximately 150 Palestinian prisoners. He stated that he is "not prepared to give you an update" until the deal is finalized. Mr. Biden expressed his hope that he would be able to provide more information on Friday.
The Bidens' granddaughter, Naomi, who is the daughter of Hunter Biden, shared a photo on social media of some family members, including Mr. Biden, at the beach after participating in the polar bear plunge.
Jill Biden mentioned in her memoir, "Where the Light Enters," that the family began celebrating Thanksgiving on Nantucket when she and Mr. Biden started dating.
"Nantucket Thanksgiving became our tradition for the next four decades," Jill wrote. "With a few exceptions, we've made the trip every year since, establishing rituals that have become an integral part of our family along the way."
The Bidens' late son Beau Biden proposed to his wife Hallie during the annual Nantucket tree lighting in 2001, which takes place over Thanksgiving weekend. They were subsequently married at St. Mary's Church in downtown Nantucket.
Jill Biden mentioned that the family decided not to go to Nantucket in 2015, the first Thanksgiving after Beau's death. However, the following year, their grandchildren requested to return to Nantucket.
Thanksgiving was a memorable time for the Biden family. They expressed their longing for Nantucket, missing the charming little shops, the ice cream parlor they always visited, and the traditional Friday lunch. They yearned to watch the Christmas tree lighting and wander the cobblestone streets. Above all, they desired to be together and feel a sense of normalcy once again.
In his memoir, "Promise Me, Dad," Mr. Biden reveals that Nantucket holds a special significance for him. It was in this idyllic location that his sons, Beau and Hunter, urged him to run for president back in 2014. According to Mr. Biden, Beau passionately said, "'Dad, you've got to run,'" while Hunter echoed his sentiments, saying, "'We want you to run.'" Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Beau Biden passed away in May 2015, leading Mr. Biden to decide against running for president in 2016.
During their Thanksgiving stay, the Bidens found refuge in the home of billionaire David Rubenstein, the co-founder of the Carlyle Group.
