Two turkeys have been released from a possible death sentence, thanks to the unconditional pardon given by President Bush himself.

The distribution of the pardon for the two fowls was done during the 60th annual pardoning ceremony of the National Thanksgiving Turkey, in which the White House saves at least one bird from the blade of the axe.

This year's ceremony saw the pardoning of the 45-pound turkeys from Dubois, Indiana, with the event held outside the kitchen of the White House.

"You cannot take the heat, and you're definitely going to stay out of the kitchen," President Bush told the turkeys.

Although the ceremony had been held annually ever since the time of President Harry Truman, it has recently included a turkey-naming contest, where people can cast votes on the White House website.

Tony Fratto, the spokesman for the White House, stated that the names of the turkeys were held under extreme secrecy, that not even the official White House speechwriters knew.

"I'm on pins and needles! I honestly don't know --- the draft remarks I saw have blank spaces!", Fratto exclaimed in an email quoted by the Voice of America.

Finally, President Bush declared "I am pleased to announce the winning names. They are May and Flower."

The turkeys, after receiving the pardon, were flown first class to Disney World, as they will be the grand marshals of the park's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling, and may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace," Mr. Bush declared.

He then followed by saying that Vice President Dick Cheney wanted to name the turkeys Lunch and Dinner.