NANTUCKET, Mass. - On the occasion of Thanksgiving, President Joe Biden called for an end to division and rancor in the United States, emphasizing the importance of unity amidst a deeply divided nation. Continuing a long-standing family tradition, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden celebrated the holiday on Nantucket Island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving Day parade in Manhattan, the Bidens phoned in to NBC News' Al Roker, delivering a message of hope and unity to Americans. Highlighting that while political views may differ, the fundamental belief in the greatness of the nation unites the American people.

"On this Thanksgiving," President Biden stated, "we have to come together. We can have different political views, but we have one view - that we're the finest, greatest nation in the world. We should focus on dealing with our problems and being together and stop the rancor. We have to bring the nation together and treat each other with a little bit of decency, and I think that's where the vast majority of the American people are."

The President and First Lady arrived on Tuesday for their Thanksgiving holiday at the waterfront home of billionaire David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Although the festivities took place away from public view, President Biden and the First Lady took the time to make calls to units from each branch of the military, extending their gratitude for their service.

Later, the couple visited the Nantucket Fire Department, where they presented gifts. As they left the department, reporters questioned President Biden about the Israel-Hamas hostage deal. While he did not provide any specific updates, the President expressed optimism and maintained that he was keeping his fingers crossed for the release of a three-year-old American girl.

Despite the ongoing political discourse, the President's Thanksgiving message remained focused on unity and hope, devoid of any partisan undertones. In contrast, his re-election campaign released an email titled "Your Handy Guide for Responding To Crazy MAGA Nonsense This Thanksgiving," providing suggestions on how to respond to political discussions during the holiday.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, took a darker tone in his Thanksgiving message, expressing concern for the current state of the country.

The tradition of spending Thanksgiving on Nantucket Island holds personal significance for President Biden. In 1975, as a widower with two young sons, he introduced then-Jill Jacobs to his children. Instead of choosing one family over the other for Thanksgiving dinner, the couple decided to spend the holiday on Nantucket, creating cherished memories.

However, due to the President's security detail and the accompanying entourage, the simplicity and solitude of their Nantucket Thanksgiving have evolved over the years. The small island saw the arrival of hulking C-17 planes and Secret Service agents to ensure the President's safety.

As the Thanksgiving celebrations unfolded, both President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden emphasized the importance of kindness and reaching out to loved ones during the holiday season.

"It's important that we all commit to an act of kindness today," said the First Lady, encouraging individuals to connect with others and spread joy during these trying times.

As the nation continues to grapple with its differences, President Biden's message of unity and kindness during the Thanksgiving celebrations serves as a reminder of the need to come together as one nation.