Behind the scenes with the presidentially pardoned turkey
President Obama on Wednesday pardoned Peace and Liberty, sparing two turkeys from the dinner table.
But before grabbing the national spotlight, Peace and Liberty were just your average birds, enjoying the simple life on farm in Willmar, Minn., rocking out to music.
"They're real curious birds so we play ringtones on our phones, they perk up," said Preston Asche, one of the four Future Farmers of America students who helped raise the birds.
Today President Obama named the 45-pound turkey Liberty, and its alternate Peace, but the students just called them "Tom."
After a 1,200 mile trip, one of the "Toms" trotted into the W Hotel as a parade of paparazzi snapped pictures.
The manager of the W Hotel said they are one of the hotel's most famous guests.
"We get very few guests that actually get to the meet the president," Ed Baten said.
The birds enjoyed a luxury suite at the W, complete with room service.
Luckily, the birds only checked in for the night.
The hotel does serve turkey on Thanksgiving, Baten said.
Watch the video above to see more of the turkeys in action before their big day.
