President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden made an unscheduled stop in New York to celebrate Thanksgiving at a Friendsgiving event with service members. They visited the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York in Staten Island yesterday, where they served meals and expressed gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Coast Guard members and their families, as reported by CBS News.

"We owe you, we owe your families. With all due respect to those of you wearing the uniform, We don't thank your families enough," President Biden said in remarks cited by CBS News. President Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, took time to express his gratitude for the Coast Guard's crucial role during this year's devastating hurricane season. The joint celebration falls under Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative, which has steadily aimed to provide ongoing support to military personnel and their families.

According to abc News, this Friendsgiving visit followed the president's earlier Thanksgiving tradition at the White House, where he pardoned two turkeys named Peach and Blossom. The president's comments had a reflective tone, marking his last Thanksgiving address at the White House: "This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington," he said. "It's also my last time to speak here as your president during this season and give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you: It's been the honor of my life. I'm forever grateful."

The presidential visit brought cheer to some but caused significant traffic delays and restricted access around Staten Island. Residents had mixed reactions, with one noting the congestion as a downside, according to CBS News. However, another local expressed pride, saying, "Very patriotic. Support our Coast Guard here on Staten Island." This was the first time in over a decade that a sitting president visited Staten Island, the last being President Obama's visit to survey hurricane damage in 2012.